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INCIDEXTAL  BENEFITS 

OF 

DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION: 

AI  ARGUMENT  » 


CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


BY 


B.  p.Aydelott,  d.  d. 


PUBLISHERS: — Cincinnati,  G.  G.  JONES;  Philadelphia, 
H.  HOOKER ; New  York,  MARK  H.  NEWMAN. 


CINCINNATI: 

1846. 


Printed  by  R.  P.  Donogh  & Co., 


BEN  FRANKLIN  PRINTING  HOUSE, 


CINCINNATI,  O. 


.f 


TO  THEr/MINISTERS,^^^,^. 

o r ‘jji  R jj-\  V 

EVANGELICAL  ‘d^SNOMINATIONS, 

\ V ^ 

WHO  ARB  ABOUT  TO  ASSEMBLB  IN  NEW  TORE 


In  May  next  for  the  Promotion  of  Christian  Union. 


1 regret  my  inability  to  comply  with  the  kind  * 
invitation  of  yonr  Committee  to  he  with  you  at 
your  proposed  meeting.  But  I cannot  let  the 
occasion  pass  without  thus  publicly  expressing 
my  hearty  concurrence  in  your  object,  and  en- 
deavoring to  do  something  “as  of  the  ability 
which  God  giveth,”  towards  its  accomplishment. 

I would,  therefore,  respectfully  ask  your  at- 
tention to  the  following  argument  for  Christian 
union. 

May  the  divine  Head  of  the  Church  so  guide 
and  sanctify  all  your  deliberations  and  doings, 
that  they  may  abundantly  tend  to  his  glory,  in 
the  advancement  of  a scriptural  union  among 
his  people,  and  the  universal  establishment  of 
his  kingdom  on  earth. 

Your  Brother  and  Servant  in  the  Gospel, 

B.  P.  AYDELOTT. 

Cincinnati,  Uarch,  1846. 


♦ 


CONTENTS 


Prefa.ce vii 

CHAPTER  I. 

Man’s  agency,  God’s  providence  ; division  of  the  church  a part 
OF  God’s  providential  dealings  ; distinction  between  denomi- 
national DIVISION  AND  denominational  DIFFERENCE  ; ReV.  Dr. 
Milnor  on  “A  Charitable  Judgment,  etc.” 13 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  principle  of  union  ; — why  it  has  failed  ; imperfection  of 
CHRISTIAN  professors  ; proper  use  of  division  ; DIVISION  AN  evil; 
benefits  of  division  incidental  ; — the  present  inquiry  a NOVEL 
one '2!y 

CHAPTER  III. 

Has  not  denominational  Division  more  widely  diffused,  at  home 
AND  abroad,  the  PREACHING  OF  THE  GOSPEL? 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Has  not  denominational  Division  greatly  increased  the  number 
OF  faithfdl  ministers? 37 

CHAPTER  V. 

Has  not  denominational  Division  done  much  to  promote  Christian 
education? 39 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Has  not  denominational  Division  promoted  theological  knowl- 
edge, and  sound  scriptural  doctrine? 4‘2 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Has  not  denominational  Division  greatly  extended  and  elevated 
THE  religious  PERIODICAL  PRESS? 45 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Does  not  denominational  Division  tend  to  produce  a superior 
MORALITY? 49 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Has  NOT  denominational  Division  done  much  to  accommodate 

CHRISTIANITY  TO  THE  VAST  VARIETY  OF  INTELLECT,  TASTE,  HABITS, 

AND  PURSUITS  AMONG  MEN? .53 

CHAPTER  X. 

Does  not  denominational  Division  operate  to  counteract  the 


EVILS  OF  ULTRAISM? 57 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Has  not  denominational  Division  kept  very  many  within  the  pale 

OF  THE  visible  CHURCH,  AND  THUS  SECURED  THEIR  INFLUENCE  IN  FAVOR 
OF  THE  TROTH,  WHO  WOULD  OTHERWISE  HAVE  BEEN  OPPOSERS  OF  THE 
GOSPEL,  OR,  AT  LEAST,  INDIFFERENT  TO  IT?, C3 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Has  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  TENDED  TO  PREVENT  ECCLESIASTICAL 
OPPRESSION? 69 


R 


Vi 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  Xiri. 

Has  not  denominational  Divis  on  greatly  counteracted  the 
EVILS  OF  CHURCH  ESTABLISHMENT? 71 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Has  NOl'  DENOMINATIONAL  D.V.SON'  KEPT  IN  VIEW  MANY  IMPORTANT 
PRINCIPLES  WHICH,  OTHERWISE,  MIGHT  HAVE  BEEN  LOST  SIGHT  OF,  OR 
TRODDEN  UNDER  FOOT? 74 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Has  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  D. VISION  OPENED  A NEW  AND  VERT  IMPOR- 
TANT FIELD  OF  USEFULNESS? 81 

CHAPTER  XVI, 

Has  not  denominational  D vis  on  made  the  corruption  of  the 
Holy  Scripiures  impossible? 89 

CHAPTER  XVir. 

Has  Nor  denominational  D. vis. on  increased  the  number  of  cox- 
vereted  souls?.  92 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Has  not  denominational  Div.s  on  promoted  the  social  and 
political  benefits  of  Christianity? 97 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Has  not  denominational  D.ViS  on  produced  among  Christians 

MORE  Dl  SCRIMINa  I TNG  VIEWS  OF  REUGlON,  A FIRMER  GRASP  OF  ITS 
TRUTHS,  A HIGHER  DEGREE  OF  PERSONAL  HO'.TNESS,  AND  A LARGER 
MEASURE  OF  CHARITY  TOWARDS  EaCH  O IHER?  ......  lOl 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  sudden  amalgamation  of  all  denominations  would  be  pro- 
ductive OF  GREAT  evils 105 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

A WISE  AND  S4FE  WAY  OF  PROMOTING  THE  RE-UNION  OF  THE  VISIBLE 
CHURCH  IS  — TO  LABOR  ABOVE  ALL  THINGS,  FOR  THE  ADVANCEMENT 
OF  SCRIPTURAL  TRUTH,  SPIRITUAL  RELIG  ON,  AND  PRACTICAL  PIETY.  107 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Denominational  divis  on  affords  a peculiar  and  very  strong 


EVIDENCE  FOR  CHRISTIANITY 109 

CHAPTER  XXni. 

Denominational  divisions  affotd  many  heasons  for  patience, 
CONTENTMENT,  AND  THANKFULNESS 1T2 

CHAPTER  XXrV. 

Denominational  divisions  fuknish  much  which  ought  to  fill 
THE  HEARTS  OF  CHRISTIANS  WITH  MUTUAL  CHARITY. 115 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

The  PRESENT  DENOMINATIONAL  STATE  OF  THE  CHURCH  SUGGESTS 

MUCH  TO  ENCOURAGE  US  FOR  ChRIST’s  CAUSE 117 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

The  ILFFERENT  DENOMINATIONS  OF  ChR  ISTIA  NS  OUGHT  TO  REJOICE  IN 

EACH  OTHER^S  PROSPERITY 125 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Denominational  differences  may  be  maintained  without  division.  127 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


The  duty  of  Christians  to  make  special  efforts  to  promote 
CHRIS  riAN  union 


PREFACE. 


There  has  been  for  the  last  thirty  years  a strong 
tendency  towards  union  among  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations.  This  has  manifested  itself 
not  merely  in  associated  action  on  the  ground  of 
their(^mmon  evangelical  faith,  as  in  Bible,  Tract, 
and  other  similar  societies,  but  in  frequent  inquiries 
and  efforts  to  ascertain  what  it  is  that  keeps  them 
asunder,  and  on  what  grounds  the  various  denomi- 
nations might  come  together.  Many  very  interest- 
ing and  able  treatises  have  been  written  upon 
these  questions,  and  not  a few  meetings  of  eminent 
ministers  and  laymen  for  the  promotion  of  Christian 
union,  have  been  held  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic. 
One  which  recently  assembled  in  England,  found 
among  themselves,  after  the  fullest  discussion,  a 
harmony  of  views  and  feelings  which  equally  sur- 
prised and  delighted  them. 

A very  remarkable  volume  has  also  recently 
appeared,  entitled  “Essays  on  Christian  Union,” 
by  Drs.  Chalmers,  Balmer,  and  other  distinguished 
Divines  of  England  and  Scotland,  all  written  with- 
out previous  concert  or  consultation  except  in 
regard  to  the  part  of  the  subject  which  each  one 
.should  discuss.  The  work  will  doubtless  be  exten- 


Vlll 


PREFACE. 


sively  read,  and  cannot  fail  to  make  a strong 
impression.  Its  eminentl)'  Christian  spirit,  frank 
confession  of  mutual  faults,  masterly  refutation  of 
objections,  and  powerful  arguments  and  appeals 
must  be  productive  of  great  good,  and  pave  the 
way  for  future  and  more  extended  effort. 

The  writer  of  the  following  Essay  has  for  some 
years  seriously  reflected  upon  the  subject  of  Chris- 
tian union,  and  conversed  much  upon  it  with 
Christians  of  various  denominations.  He  found 
none  who  had  not  been,  more  or  less,  similarly 
exercised.  One  very  eminent  Preacher  and  Divine 
remarked  to  him — “The  subject  is  scarcely  ever 
out  of  my  thoughts.”  How  many  can  say  the 
same  thing  ! 

May  we  not  then  hope  that  He  who  has  excited 
so  generally  this  Nisus  in  the  Christian  mind 
towards  union,  will  give  it  a speedy  and  a happy 
issue?  What  if  there  are  some  things  to  call 
forth  apprehension,  there  is  much  also,  very  much 
to  encourage  expectation.  The  next  twenty-five 
years  will  doubtless  witness  greater,  and  we 
believe,  happier  changes  than  the  church  has  ever 
yet  seen  in  a similar  period.  There  are  instru- 
mentalities now  in  operation,  and  means  rapidly 
developing  which,  even  on  the  ordinary  principles 
of  moral  arithmetic,  warrant  us  to  look  forward  to 
great  and  wide  spread  results.  But,  when  we  take 


PREFACE. 


IX 


into  view  a favoring  Providence,  and  thej  special 
influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit — and  what  seiious 
reader  of  God’s  word  can  leave  these  out? — how 
bright  the  prospect  before  us!  The  calculations  of 
the  most  sober,  scriptural  faith  on  this  subject, 
would  perhaps  appear  presumption  in  the  eyes 
even  of  many  real  Christians.  We  are  still  “slow 
of  heart  to  believe  all  the  Prophets  have  spoken,” 
and  the  signs  of  the  times  clearly  indicate. 

It  is  remarkable,  however,  that  though  there  is 
so  broadly  extended  and  deep  an  interest  on  the 
subject  of  Christian  union,  and  such  promising 
measures  have  already  been  taken,  and  the  work 
is  still  going  forward,  there  is  yet  so  little  of  clear 
conception  concerning  the  manner  and  the  means 
by  which  this  result,  so  full  of  blessing,  shall  be 
accomplished.  All  hope  for  it;  all  express  peculiar 
pleasure  in  view  of  it;  but  every  one  sees  diffi- 
culties in  the  way;  and  scarcely  any  have  been 
able  to  satisfy  themselves  on  the  question, — how 
these  difficulties  will  be  removed.* 


♦The  following  extract  from  an  editorial  article  in  a late  number  of 
the  Episcopal  Recorder  of  Philadelphia,  is  given,  as  happily  expressing, 
if  we  mistake  not,  the  views  and  feelings  of  Christians  generally  on  the 
subject  of  Christian  union.  “ It  is  a delightful  theme  to  ineuitate  upon— 
a thrilling  prospect,  however  remote,  to  entertain — the  union  of  those 
who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  We  see  not,  indeed,  how 
it  is  to  be  brougiit  to  pass,  but  we  do  ask,  is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the 
Lord?” — “too  hard  for  the  Lord?”  certainly  not;  but  is  it  not  a notion 
of  too  many  that  Christian  union  is  to  be  brought  about  by  extraordinary, 
if  not  by  miraculous  influence?  So  far  as  this  notion  prevails,  it  cannot 


X 


PREFACE. 


Many  reasons  might  be  given  for  this  perplexity 
in  the  bosoms  of  good  men.  One  of  these  has 
impressed  itself  with  peculiar  force  on  the  mind 
of  the  writer.  It  is  the  very  inadequate  views 
generally  entertained  respecting  the  providential 
design  and  advantages  of  denominational  divisions. 
Why  were  these  permitted?  What  good  has 
resulted  from  them?  Till  these  questions  are 
better  understood  and  appreciated,  the  great  Chris- 
tian problem — how  can  church  union  be  brought 
about — cannot  be  solved;  neither  would  Christians 
be  prepared  for  the  glorious  event — involving  as  it 
does  so  many  solemn  duties  and  responsibilities — 
were  it  sooner  to  break  upon  them.  Such,  at  least, 
are  the  convictions  of  the  writer. 

When  the  wisdom,  holiness,  and  benevolence 
of  the  great  Head  of  the  church,  in  his  past  and 
present  dealings  with  us,  have  been  faithfully 
studied  and  thankfully  acknowledged,  then,  and  not 
before,  may  we  expect  that  still  more  glorious 
display  of  these  perfections,  which  a united  church 


Imt  liave  a paralyzing  influence,  and  thus  delay  the  great  accomplish- 
ment. Here,  as  in  every  tiling  else  connected  with  the  progress  of  the 
gospel,  we  have  reason  to  believe — and  doubtless  the  brethren  of  the 
Recorder  agree  in  this  view — that  the  Lord  will  work  by  his  usual  means, 
the  appropriate  agency  of  his  people.  Hence,  the  necessity  of  wise, 
diligent,  holy — in  one  word,  faithful  effort  on  the  part  of  Christians 
individually  and  socially.  And  what  can  be  more  appropriate  than 
special  consultation  and  co-operation  to  clear  up  every  difficulty,  and 
achieve  the  glorious  result?  In  such  a convergency  of  light  and  concen- 
tration of  power,  may  we  not  expect  just  that  illumination  and  efficiency , 
ttie  need  of  which  is  now  so  deeply  felt. 


PREFACE. 


XI 


cannot  fail  to  present.  In  this,  as  in  every  other 
case,  we  must  be  prepared  for  the  blessing  before 
sovereign  grace  can  consistently  confer  it.  Be  it 
our  endeavor,  therefore,  as  an  humble  pioneer  in 
this  great  work,  to  address  ourselves  to  the  pre- 
vious inquiry — What  are  the  incidental  benefits  of 
denominational  division? 

Thus  much  we  have  thought  it  necessary  to 
premise  lest  any  might  suspect,  even  from  our 
imperfect  exhibition  of  the  blessings  which  a mer- 
ciful Providence  has  been  pleased  to  bring  out  of 
our  divisions,  that  we  were  satisfied  with  present 
attainments  and  aimed  at  no  higher.  Far  from 
this.  We  believe  that  it  is  with  the  Christian  in 
his  relation  to  the  church,  as  in  the  concerns  of 
his  individual  salvation.  While  it  is  his  duty  in 
the  latter  to  “ be  content  with  such  things  as  he 
has,”  it  is  equally  his  duty  not  to  cease  effort,  not 
to  rest  “ satisfied  till  he  awake  with  the  divine 
likeness.”  So,  also,  let  him  devoutly  study,  and 
gratefully  record  God’s  gracious  dealings  with  the 
church  hitherto;  and  let  him  with  the  renewed 
earnestness  thus  enkindled,  continue  to  strive  after 
those  higher  and  richer  blessings  sought  for  her  in 
the  last  earthly  intercession  of  her  suffering  Head — 
“That  thev  all  may  be  one;  as  t'hou.  Father, 

ART  IN  ME  AND  1 IN  THEE,  THAT  THEY  ALSO  MAY 
11 


BE  ONE  IN  US. 


m 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

.Man’s  agency — God’s  providence  ; Division  of  the  church 
a part  of  God’s  providential  dealings;  distinction  between 
denominational  division  and  denominational  difference  ; — 
Rev.  Dr.  Milnor  on  “ A Charitable  Judgment,  etc.” 

There  are  two  points  of  view  in  which 
every  event  or  series  of  events  may  be 
contemplated.  It  may  be  regarded  as  an 
effect  of  human  agency,  or  as  a part  of 
God’s  providential  dispensation.  These 
are  not  at  all  inconsistent  with  each  other; 
and  yet,  according  as  a subject  is  seen  in 
the  one  light  or  the  other,  will  it  lead  to 
very  different  thoughts  and  feelings. 

Both  sacred  and  profane  history  abun- 
dantly illustrate  these  remarks.  They  find 
confirmation,  also,  in  the  daily  experience 
of  every  careful  observer  of  human  life.  As 


14 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


an  instance  taken  from  the  first  we  may 
point  to  the  case  of  Joseph.  His  residence 
in  Egypt  was  brought  about  by  the  agency 
of  his  brethren,— an  agency  which  cannot 
but  call  forth  our  condemnation  and  abhor- 
rence. And  yet  it  was  a link  in  God’s 
wise  and  gracious  dealings  with  his  people 
calculated  to  excite  the  admiration  and 
gratitude  of  every  pious  heart.  “As  for 
you,”  said  Joseph  to  his  brethren,  "ye 
thought  evil  against  me,  but  God  meant  it 
unto  good,  to  bring  to  pass,  as  at  this  day, 
to  save  much  people  alive.”  (Gen.  1.  20.) 
It  is  needless  to  multiply  examples.  That 
adduced  will  be  sufficient,  we  doubt  not, 
with  every  candid,  seriously  reflecting  mind, 
to  shew  that  there  is  no  human  conduct, 
however  foolish,  base,  and  wicked,  but  may 
furnish  evidence  of  the  wise,  and  holy,  and 
unspeakably  benevolent  providence  of  God. 
f'  In  the  following  pages  we  propose  to 
consider  the  division  of  the  Christian  church, 
not  as  a work  of  man,  but  as  a part  of  God’s 
providential  dealings.  Regarded  in  the 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


15 


foinier  point  of  view,  this  subject  has  been 
much,  and  profitably  discussed,  though  it 
is  by  no  means  exhausted.  In  the  latter 
respect,  it  is  believed,  that  very  little  has 
been  said, — only  here  and  there  a brief 
remark  incidentally  dropped  in  theological 
treatises,  or  in  works  on  practical  piety. 
Such  being  the  case,  the  writer  was  left 
almost  entirely  to  his  own  observation  and 
judgment;  he  cannot  but  suppose,  therefore, 
that  his  essay  is  very  imperfect — a mere 
beginning,  to  be  taken  up  and  completed  by 
more  competent  hands.  Still,  did  he  not 
hope  that  it  might,  with  the  divine  blessing, 
be  the  means,  in  some  humble  degree,  of 
allaying  dissention  among  Christians,  and 
encouraging  them  to  wiser  and  more  suc- 
cessful efforts  in  the  cause  of  their  common 
Lord,  by  promoting  in  their  hearts  the 
growth  of  a sound,  scriptural  charity,  he 
would  feel  it  his  duty  rather  to  throw  it  into 
the  fire,  than  commit  it  to  the  press. 

Here  we  would  ask  the  reader’s  attention 
to  a distinction  which  will  appear  in  the 


16 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


following  pages,  and  which  involves  princi- 
ples that,  if  carefully  reflected  upon,  will 
very  much  simplify  the  whole  subject,  and 
divest  it  of  many  difficulties.  We  mean  the 
distinction  between  denominational  division 
and  denominational  difference.  By  the  for- 
mer is  intended  not  merely  a separation  in 
the  church,  but  such  a separation  as  leads 
multitudes  to  seek  their  own  peculiar  de- 
nominational interests  mainly,  if  not  entirely, 
instead  of  keeping  an  eye  single  to  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  advancement  of  the 
Redeemer’s  Kingdom.  It  is  Presbyterian- 
ism, or  Episcopacy,  or  Methodism,  or 
some  similar  comparatively  little  object  it 
wishes  to  promote;  and  not  the  great  work 
of  Christ  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  Wher- 
ever this  spirit  of  division  exists,  it  necessa- 
rily dwarfs  the  soul  of  the  man.  His  piety 
is  but  of  a weak,  sickly  growth  at  the  best. 
He  cannot  rise  to  the  grandeur  of  the  Chris- 
tian character.  He  cannot  make  the  sacri- 
fices of  a Paul,  a Brainerd,  or  a Martyn. 
He  may  be  a sturdy  polemic,  but  never  a 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


17 


Christian  hero  — “a  good  soldier  of  Jesus 
Christ.^’  How  far  this  spirit  prevails  in  the 
various  denominational  ranks,  it  is  not  our 
purpose  to  inquire.  It  ought  not  to  exist  at  ) 
all.  So  far  as  it  does,  it  dishonors  them 
and  the  holy  name  they  profess,  and  mars 
the  work  which  God  has  given  them  to  do. 
Many,  very  many,  of  every  name,  we  doubt 
not,  are  in  a goodly  degree  exempt  from  it.' 

By  denominational  difference  we  under^ 
stand  all  that  distinguishes  from  each  other 
the  various  denominations  professing  the 
same  essential  truths  of  the  gospel..  While 
the  spirit  of  division  is  always  wrong,. attach- 
ment to  denominational  differences  is  not 
necessarily  so,  because  it  may  be  enter- 
tained consistently  with  the  exercise  of  tlie 
most  enlarged  charity.  The  spirit  of  divi- 
sion cannot  live  in  the  Millennium,  it  will 
retreat  and  bury  itself  in  the  darkness  of 
the  pit,  before  the  holy  brightness  of  tha^ 
day  is  poured  over  the  earth. 

But,  it  may  well  be  doubted,  whether^ 
denominational  differences  will  ever  be  en- 


18 


CHRISTIAN  Onion. 


tirely  done  away.  It  is  at  least  probable 
that  they  will  not.  We  are  free  to  confess 
that  we  would  as  soon  expect  to  see  “in 
the  latter  day”  the  whole  earth  reduced  to 
the  dead  level  of  a prairie,  or  the  “human 
face  divine”  to  one  unvarying  type  and 
expression,  as  to  witness  entire  uniformity 
in  the  church  of  Christ.  Indeed,  it  is  one  of 
the  chief  excellencies  of  Christianity,  in  our 
view,— one  of  its  noblest  evidences  of  being 
God’s  handiwork,  that  it  is  capable,  with- 
out losing  its  essential  character,  of  such 
marvellous  adaptions  to  the  varied  condition 
and  circumstances  of  man.  And,  as  the 
latter  never  can  be  altogether  the  same 
in  this  world,  so  we  never  expect  to  see 
perfect  sameness  in  the  Christian  church. 
“The  sacramental  host  of  God’s  elect”  will 
still  continue  a host, — all  will  not  be  infan- 
try or  cavalry,  artillery  or  light  troops; — 
one  spirit  will  indeed  pervade  and  unite  the 
whole,  but  their  uniform  as  well  as  their 
weapons  may  and  must  widely  vary  to  lit 
them  for  their  different  services. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


19 


How  far,  indeed,  denominational  differen- 
ces will  diminish  when  division  has  ceased 
to  exist,  it  is  for  no  one  now  to  say.  Cer- 
tainly they  may  be  much  less  than  at  pre- 
sent,— no  more,  we  feel  assured,  than  man’s 
innocent  exigencies  will  require,  and  perfect 
charitjj  admit. 

When  the  writer  had  nearly  finished  this 
treatise  he  received  a pamphlet  entitled  “A 
Charitable  Judgment  of  the  opinions  and 
conduct  of  others,  recommended;  being  the 
last  sermon  preached  in  St.  George’s  church, 
New-York,  Sunday,  April  6th,  1845:  By 
the  Rev.  James  Miluor,  D.  D.  ” The 
discourse  is  full  of  good  sense  and  scrip- 
tural wisdom,  conveyed  in  a peculiarly 
clear,  manly,  unaffected  style,  and  embued 
throughout  with  the  spirit  of  that  Kingdom 
on  whose  very  verge  the  preacher  was  then 
unconsciously  treading; — a meet  close  for 
a ministry  so  “pure,  lovely,  and  of  good 
report,” — a blessed  preparation  for  the  min- 
istry of  the  upper  sanctury.  Had  this 
admirable  sermon  reached  us  sooner,  uladly 


20 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


would  we  have  enriched  our  pages  with 
much  of  its  teachings.  As  it  is,  we  can  find 

loom  in  this  introductory  chapter  for  only  a 

• 

few'  extracts,  which,  while  read  with  deep 
gratification  by  enlightened  Christians  of 
every  name,  will  be  discerned  to  have  an 
imiiortant  bearing  upon  the  subject  before 
us. 

“ Whether  the  happiness  of  society,  the 
extension  of  Christ’s  Kingdom,  the  dismay 
t-  jdof  infidels,  or  the  prosperity  of  our  own  com- 
munion, be  an  object  of  desire,  I am  per- 
suaded  each  will  be  best  promoted  by  that 
mild  and  conciliatory  temper,  to  the  culti- 
vation of  which  the  minds  of  Christians  have 
of  late  years,  so  much  more  than  formerly, 
been  directed.  It  is  not  by  a stately  and 
proud  reserve  in  our  demeanor  towards 
others,  nor  by  advancing  high-sounding  and 
exclusive  claims  to  the  favor  of  God,  nor 
by  casting  contemptuous  sneers  at  the  prin- 
ciples or  systems  of  such  as  in  outward 
things  walk  not  with  us,  if  they  profess 
rdlegiance  to  the  same  master,  and  faith  in 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


21 


his  blessed  gospel,  that  true  religion  will 
be  promoted.” 

Again:  “We  are  free  to  express  our 
persuasion,  that  God  does  not  suffer  one 
of  his  real  children  to  embrace,  and  die  in 
the  belief  of  any  dogma,  by  which  his 
salvation  is  endangered.  The  Apostle  tells 
us  of  those  who  being  in  damnable  heresies ; 
but  though  every  deviation  from  the  truth 
is  error,  every  such  deviation  is  not  damna- 
ble error.  Some  things  are  fundamentally 
important,  others  are  not  so.  I am  aware 
that  there  may  seem  to  be  difficulty  in 
determining  what  are  of  the  one,  or  the 
other  description.  I know  of  no  better 
rule  of  distinction  than  this:  All  truths  are 
fundamental,  the  belief  of  which  is  neces- 
sary to  produce  such  exercises  of  faith 
and  holiness,  without  which,  according  to 
the  scriptures,  he  cannot  be  saved.  For 
instance,  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is 
absolutely  essential  to  the  salvation  of 
those  to  whom  he  has  been  revealed.  For 
without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God. 


22 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Repentance  for  sin  is  essential;  for  God 
commandeth  all  men  every  where  to  repent. 
Spiritual  regeneration  is  essential:  for 
Christ  declares,  except  a man  be  born 
again,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  Kingdom 
of  heaven.  Sanctification  is  essential:  for 
without  holiness  no  man  can  see  the  Lord. 
Many  of  secondary  importance,  however, 
may  be  believed  or  disbelieved  by  persons 
who  profess  all  the  doctrines  that  have 
been  stated,  and  others  equally  w'eighty; 
which  neither  leading  into  immoral  prac- 
tice, nor  putting  in  jeopardy  the  salvation 
of  the  soul,  do  not  require  that  the  bond  of 
Christian  brotherhood  should  be  severed.*’ 
Once  more, — “But  when  Christians  per- 
ceive that  others  who  walk  not  with  them 
in  external  things,  or  speculatively  differ 
from  them  on  some  points  of  doctrine,  are 
evidently  one  with  them  in  spirit;  Mdien 
they  are  compelled  to  yield  to  the  persua- 
sion that  with  all  their  supposed  mistakes, 
God  has  loved  and  accepted  them,  surely 
feelings  of  attachment  must  arise,  which  no 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


23 


points  of  unimportant  difference  can  repress. 
Must  not  their  hearts  be  drawn  towards 
those  whom  they  cannot  but  view  as  fellow- 
heirs  with  them  of  an  inheritance  of  glory, 
with  grateful  exercises  of  Christian  affection 
and  esteem  ? Can  they  refuse  to  love 
those  whom  their  Heavenly  Father  loves? 
Can  they  deny  the  hand  of  fellowship, 
and  the  heart  of  sympathy,  to  brethren 
differing  from  them  in  name,  but  sprink- 
led with  the  same  redeeming  blood, 
justified  by  the  same  grace,  sanctified  by 
the  same  spirit  as  theinselves?  Is  there 
weight,  dear  brethren,  in  these  suggestions? 
Then  how  must  we  lament  that  error, 
which  suffers  alienation  of  affection,  and 
reluctance  to  friendly  intercourse,  to  be  the 
conseciuence  of  differences  about  the  inferior 
topics,  or  slighter  circumstantials  of  religion ! 
How  egregious  the  mistake  of  supposing 
a claim  to  heaven  to  be  forfeited  by 
anything  else  than  an  abandonment  of  the 
faith  and  holiness  of  the  gospel!” 

Would  that  nothing  may  be  found  in  the 


24 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


following  pages  at  variance  with  the  spirit 
and  sentiments  of  this  noble  testimony  of 
our  beloved,  departed  brother!  “By  it  he 
being  dead  yet  speaketh.” 

The  p^ace  of  the  church,  the  charity  of 
its  individual  members,  their  increase  in 
sound  knowledge,  heavenly  wisdom,  and 
holy  efficiency;— these,  for  their  own  sake, 
and  as  the  surest  means  of  a true  scriptural 
union,  are  among  the  highest  objects  of  the 
enlightened  Christian’s  desire  and  endeavor. 
It  was  to  promote  these  the  writer  ventured 
with  much  diffidence  to  take  up  his  pen. 
If  what  he  has  written  shall,  with  the  Divine 
blessing,  contribute  in  any  degree,  however 
humble,  towards  these  goodly  results,  his 
labor  will  not  be  in  vain. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


25 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  principle  of  union ; — why  it  has  failed  ; imperfection 
of  Christian  professors;  proper  use  of  division,  division  an 
evil ; — benefits  of  division  incidental ; — the  present  inquiry 
a novel  one. 

Christianity  is  the  only  principle  of  union 
and  true  peace  among  men.  It  needs  only 
to  be  embraced  with  the-  whole  heart  to 
produce  these  goodly  results.  That  they 
have  not  heretofore  been  fully  witnessed,  is 
then  not  the  fault  of  Christianity.  It  pours 
the  effulgence  of  a noon  day’s  sun  upon  the 
common  ground  of  a holy  brotherhood,  and 
addresses  to  each  and  to  all  the  most 
solemn  and  heart-affecting  motives  to  come 
up  to  it. 

It  is  not  our  purpose  here  to  point  out  the 
particular  causes  of  this  lamentable  failurq. 
Suffice  it  to  observe  the  obvious  fact  that  it 
does  exist — -the  visible  church  is  divided; 
and  the  almost  equally  obvious  fact  that 


26 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


the  fault  is  not  in  Christianity,  but  in  its 
professors.  Multitudes  of  these  are  utter 
strangers  to  the  vitality  of  religion ; multi- 
tudes more  have  very  imperfect  apprehen- 
sions of  it ; and  how  few  of  them  can  say 
that  they  have  given  up  their  whole  heart 
to  it.  Such  being  the  case,  it  is  easy  to  see 
'from  what  denominational  divisions  have 
sprung.  They  are  a part  of  those  “offences 
which  must  come.”  They  have  resulted 
by  a moral  necessity  from  the  manifold 
imperfection  of  Christian  professors. 

But  great  as  the  evils  of  division  are, 
we  have  an  infallible  remedy,  and  therefore 
have  no  reason  to  dispair;  neither  has 
any,  in  the  meanwhile,  a right  to  upbraid 
where  none  can  claim  exemption  from 
blameworthiness.  True  wisdom  would 
dictate  the  inquiry— -^wh  a I good  has  grown 
out  of  these  divisions  among  professing 
Christians?  For  surely  they  who  believe 
that  “God  causeth  the  wrath  of  man  to 
praise  him — and  that  “ all  things  work 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  him,” 


CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


27 


cannot  doubt  but  that  good  has  resulted, 
in  some  way,  even  horn  these  evils. 

We  say  evils^ — for  it  ought  never  to  be 
forgotten  that  divisions  in  the  Christian  body 
are  in  themselves  evils.  They  originate 
in  sin;  they  are  productive  of  sin;  and  it 
behooves  us  all  seriously  to  set  ourselves  to 
the  work  of  endeavoring  to  remove  them. 
The  benefits  which  have  resulted  from 
division  have  been  altogether  incidental, 
and  the  contemplation  of  these,  by  inspiring 
us  with  thankfulness  for  that  gracious, 
overruling  Providence  which  thus  educes 
good  out  of  evil,  will  best  prepare  us,  not 
only  for  the  patient  endurance  of  the  latter, 
but  for  wise  and  energetic  efforts  to  bring 
it  to  a speedy  end.  The  charity, — to  name 
no  more,-“which  such  a contemplation  can- 
not hut  kindle  up  in  our  hearts  towards 
those  with  whom  we  differ,  will  of  itself  be 
one  of  the  most  powerful  means  of  doing 
away  our  divisions. 

What,  then,  are  some  of  the  incidental 
benefits  growing  out  of  denominational 


28 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


division  ? The  inquiry  is  a novel  one,  at 
least  to  the  writer.  He  has  read  and 
heard  much  of  the  evils  of  division,  but  its 
benefits,  so  far  as  he  is  aware,  have  been 
seldom  and  very  imperfectly  exhibited. 
And  though  he  doubts  not  that  the  con- 
sideration of  these  evils,  painful  as  it  is,  has 
had  a salutary  influence  in  preventing  many 
divisions  which  would-  otherwise  have 
arisen;  he  is  yet  persuaded  that  a calm 
and  candid  view  of  their  attendant  benefits, 
while  it  cannot  but  be  a pleasing  task,  will 
have  a more  salutary  operation  upon  the 
personal  piety  of  the  observer,  and  do  far 
more  to  heal  the  divisions  of  the  church. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


29 


CHAPTER  III. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  MORE  WIDE- 
LY DIFFUSED,  AT  HOME  AND  ABROAD,  THE 
PREACHING  OF  THE  GOSPEL  ? 

A united,  and  eminently  holy  church  the  beat  means  of 
extending  tlie  gospel  ; a vast,  united,  unholy  ecclesiastical 
body  becomes  more  and  more  powerful  for  evil ; but  less 
and  less  efficient  for  good  ; division  of  such  a body  tends 
to  revive  religion  and  diffuse  the  gospel  ; a common  com- 
plaint of  some  good  men  about  denominational  divisions 
stated  and  answered. 

Were  all  the  professed  followers  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  thoroughly  imbued  with 
the  light  and  spirit  of  his  gospel,  they  would 
perfectly  obey  the  exhortation  of  the  Apos- 
tle— “stand  fast  in  one  spirit,  with  one 
mind;  striving  together  for  the  faith  of  the 
gospel.”  And  nothing,  in  this  case,  could 
long  withstand  their  influence;  the  whole 
world  would  speedily  be  converted  to  God. 
There  can  be  no  instrumentality  like  that 
of  a holy,  united  church, — none  so  strong. 


30 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


and  wisely  adapted  to  accomplish  the  work 
of  the  Lord.  It  would  be  perfectly  peace- 
ful and  yet  irresistible. 

But  the  question  for  us  is — not  what  a 
thoroughly  sanctified  church  could  do  ? It 
is — taking  the  manifold  imperfection  of 
professing  Christians  into  view,  have  not 
their  very  divisions  tended  more  widely  to 
diffuse  the  preaching  of  the  gospel?  We 
believe  that  they  have. 

Has  not  all  church  history  taught  us  that, 
unless  the  Christian  graces  are  largely  pos- 
sessed and  in  lively  exercise  in  a vast,  united 
ecclesiastical  body,  its  continual  tendency 
is  to  spiritual  darkness,  insensibility,  and 
death  ? Its  influences  for  evil  will  grow 
apace,  while  its  efficiency  for  good  as  rapid- 
ly diminishes. 

But  let  this  same  body  be  smidered  into 
three  or  four  parts,  and  does  not  the  record 
of  the  past  warrant  us  to  expect  that  the 
result  of  such  division  will  be  manifestly  new 
life  in  each,  and  an  increased  zeal  in  the 
whole  to  spread  the  gospel?  Now,  while 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


31 


we  cannot  but  see  that  in  such  cases  much 
may  be  explained  by  the  operation  of  very 
evil  principles, — “some  preach  Christ,  even 
of  envy  and  strife,” — still  the  natural,  and 
very  powerful,  and  not  necessarily  unholy 
principle  of  competition  will  come  into  play, 
and  call  forth  every  energy  of  the  several 
denominations  to  enlarge  their  borders  by 
extending  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. — 
Who  cannot  see  the  working  of  this  prin- 
ciple in  the  different  Christian  bodies  of  our 
own  country  ? Are  they  not  thus  continu- 
ally “ provoking  each  other  to  love  and  good 
works  V And  has  not  the  result  been  a 
much  more  rapid  and  wide-spread  diffusion 
of  the  gospel,  both  at  home  and  abroad 

* Few  persons  are  aware  of  the  vastly  greater  efficiency 
of  a free  church  in  comparison  with  one  shackled  and  para, 
lysed  by  State  establishment.  We,  therefore,  invite  the 
reader’s  attention  to  the  following  statistics,  not  to  minister 
to  unholy  triumph,  but  as  furnishing  matter  for  cheering 
reflection  to  the  friends  of  free  institutions. 

Liverpool  has — New-York  Has — 


Population,  - - 210,000  Population,  - - 220,000 

Ministers,  . - - . 57  Ministers,  - - - 142 

Churches,  ....  57  Churches,  ...  132 

Communicants,  . 18,000  Communicants’  . 31,337 


32 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


May  it  not,  indeed,  be  seriously  doubted 
whether  if  any  one  of  the  present  denomi- 
nations had  from  the  first  possessed  our 
whole  country,  and  controlled  its  religion, 
Christianity  would  not,  by  this  time,  have 
run  down  among  us  ? Had  not  such  de- 
nomination far  more  spiritual  life  and  holi- 
ness than  any  which  the  world  has  ever 
yet  seen,  all  past  experience  compels  us  to 
fear  that  its  history  would  have  exhibited 
sad  evidence  of  almost  uninterrupted  spirit- 
ual declension,  and  consequent  loss  of  influ- 
ence for  good  over  the  world  about  it. 

Here,  however,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to 


Edinburgh  has=— 
Population,  - - 150,000 

Ministers,  ...  70 

Churches,  ...  65 

Nottingham  has — 
Population,  ? . 50,000 

Ministers,  ...  23 

Churches,  . . . 23 

United  States  have^ 
Population,  . . 13,000,000 

Ministers,  • - . 11,450 
Churches,  - - . 12,580 

Cqmrnunicants,  - 1,550,890 


Philadelphia  has — 
Population,  . - 200,000 

Ministers,  . - . 137 

Churches, 83 

Boston  has — 

Pi  pulation,  . - 60,000 

Ministers,  . . . . 57 

Churches,  ....  55 

In  England  the  proportion 
is  about  the  same  between 
the  ministers  and  population, 
but  they  have  only  1,050,000 
Communicants, 


CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


33 


notice  a complaint  at  times  heard  from  good 
men.  Agents  of  missionary  and  other 
religious  societies  not  unfrequently  tell  us 
that  in  a single  village  or  other  small  com- 
munity it  is  usual  to  find  two  or  three 
churches  of  different  evangelical  denomi- 
nations, each  one  of  which  can,  of  course, 
but  poorly  sustain  itself,  though  all  com- 
bined would  form  one  respectable,  effi- 
cient congregation.  This  they  complain 
of  as  an  evil  adding  greatly  to  their  labor, 
while  it  diminishes  their  success. 

Now,  that  such  division  is  an  evil  there 


Let  it  be  considered  that  in  a large  proportion  of  the 
Churclics  in  England,  the  Coiumunlo  i is  frre — i.  e.  tlierc  is 
little  or  no  attention  to  discipline  in  admitting  or  excluding 
church  members  ; but  in.  the  United  States,  communion  is 
almost  universally  strict.  And  yet  the  number  of  communi- 
cants is  more  than  one-third  greater  in  the  United  States  than 
that  in  England.  The  reader  who  would  see  this  comparison 
pursued  further,  may  consult  “ Visit  to  the  American 
Churches,”  by  Reei/  Matheson. 

Thus  it  is  seen  that  all  the  power  of  the  British  govern- 
ment, combined  with  an  active  dissent,  has  fallen  vastly  short 
of  effecting  during  ages,  what  this  nation — in  comparison  but 
of  yesterday — has  already  accomplished.  Verily,  the  great- 
est favor  which  the  State  can  confer  upon  the  Church  is,  to 
^et  it  alone.  ” My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.” 


34 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


can  be  no  doubt ; and  were  such  congrega- 
tions to  become  so  wise  and  holy  as  to 
put  aside  every  barrier  to  union,  and  come 
together  in  the  right  spirit,  there  can  be  as 
little  doubt  that  they  would  grow  much 
more  rapidly  in  grace  themselves,  and  be 
able  to  do  far  more  for  the  cause  of  Christ 
in  the  world.  And  who,  with  the  bible  in 
his  hands,  does  not  believe  that  the  day 
is  coming  when  many  such  blessed  events 
shall  be  realized. 

Still,  is  not  the  complaint  of  which  we 
are  now  speaking,  as  unwise  as  it  is 
unprofitable  ? It  proceeds  upon  the  mis- 
taken notion,  that  to  us  there  is  only  the 
alternative  of  a divided  and  comparatively 
weak,  though  in  the  main,  sound  church ; 
or  a united,  strong,  holy  church,  so  holy 
as  the  world  has  never  yet  witnessed. — 
But  let  it  never  be  forgotten  that  as  pro- 
fessors of  religion  commonly  now  are,  we 
must  have  them  either  divided,  and,  with 
their  present  motives  to  exertion  doing  some 
good;  or,  united  in  one  large,  dark,  cor- 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


35 


nipt  church,  daily  sinking  lower  and  low- 
er, and  constantly  operating  at  least  as 
an  obstacle  in  the  way  of  Christ’s  cause, 
and  too  often  as  a persecutor  of  his  peo- 
ple. This  is,  unhappily,  our  present  al- 
ternative, or  certainly  has  been  in  times 
past. 

We  are  not  left  to  conjecture  here. — 
Does  not  almost  the  whole  history  of  the 
church  prove  this  fact,  humiliating  as  it 
is  ? Let  any  one,  for  example,  look  into 
the  account  of  the  labors  of  Whitefield, 
Wesley,  and  their  associates,  even  as  giv- 
en by  Southey,  a staunch  friend  of  the 
Established  Church,  and  he  cannot  but 
rise  up  with  the  conviction,  that  all  the 
evils  of  division  are  as  nothing  in  com- 
parison with  the  evils  of  such  a union  as 
these  men  encountered.  Many  of  the  most 
densely  populated  districts  in  England — 
at  that  time  with  a dissenting  interest  too 
small  and  feeble  to  have  much  influence 
upon  the  national  church — presented  a 
darkness,  a degradation,  a brutality  almost 


36 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


pagan, — such  a revolting  moral  aspect  as 
could  not  be  paralleled  in  the  sparsest  set- 
tlements of  our  own  country,  divided  up  as 
they  are  among  so  many  denominations. 
Missionaries  to  the  heathen  have  rarely 
met  with  worse  treatment  than  these  men 
of  God  too  often  received  in  their  own 
nominally  Christian  land. 

/ Instead,  then,  of  complaining  so  much  of 
/the  evils  of  division,  let  us  reflect  more 
upon  the  vastly  greater  evils  it  has  prevent- 
ed, and  upon  the  many  precious  benefits  to 
the  production  of  which  it  has  been  provi- 
dentially overruled.  When  duly  thankful 
for  these  things,  we  shall  be  better  prepared 
for  a true  church  union,  and  in  the  mean- 
while, shall  be  found  “doing  with  our 
might  whatever  our  hand  fiudeth  to  do” 
towards  this  glorious  consummation. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


37 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  GREATLY 
INCREASED  THE  NUMBER  OF  FAITHFUL  MINIS- 
TERS? 

A call  to  the  ministry  ; — the  church’s  duty  in  the  matter. 

While  God  alone  calls  men  to  the  minis- 
try of  the  gospel,  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
Church  to  seek  them  out,  and  bring  them 
forward.  We  can  no  more  expect  the 
multiplication  of  faithful  ministers  than  of 
ordinary  Christians,  without  the  use  of 
appropriate  means.  Christians,  and  espe- 
cially Christian  pastors,  must  notice  the 
religious  character  and  talents  of  pious 
young  men,  and,  if  they  find  these  suita- 
ble for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  they 
must  take  them  by  the  hand,  and  give 
them  all  suitable  advice  and  encourage- 
ment. 

In  an  entirely  holy  church  this  impor- 
tant duty  would  be  perfectly  performed, 


38 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


and  no  young  man,  whom  there  was  ground 
to  hope  that  God  had  called  to  the  minis- 
try, would  be  passed  over,  or,  suffered 
to  fall  short  for  want  of  brotherly  counsel 
and  aid.  But  just  in  proportion  as  the 
church  was  imperfect  would  this  work  be 
imperfectly  done.  As  its  piety  waned, 
the  number  of  its  faithful  ministers  would 
be  less  and  less. 

Here,  also,  the  competition  growing  out 
of  denominational  division  has  come  in, 
and  done  very  much  of  what  would 
otherwise  have  been  left  undone.  The 
various  denominations,  in  their  solicitude  to 
extend  the  gospel  as  preached  by  them- 
selves, at  home  and  abroad,  have  with 
increased  zeal  sought  out  their  youth  of 
piety  and  promise,  and  supplied  them 
with  the  means  of  preparation  for  the 
sacred  office,  and  then  sent  them  to  our 
own  waste  places,  and  to  heathen,  and 
foreign  lands.  How  many  of  these  miiH 
isters  who  have  risen  highest  in  wisdom, 
and  honor,  and  usefulness,  would  have 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


39 


remained  in  their  original  destitution  and 
obscurity,  had  their  lot  been  cast  in  a 
country  overshadowed  by  one  vast,  effete 
church  establishment  that  tolerated  no 
differing  communions  ? 


CHAPTER  V. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  DONE  MUCH 
TO  PROMOTE  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION? 

The  world  will  be  educated  ; — what  shall  this  education 
be  ? Christianity  the  only  safe  principle  of  education  ; — 
without  such  education  free  institutions  cannot  be  upheld. 

We  need  say  nothing,  at  this  day,  in 
praise  of  education.  All  now  acknowl- 
edge its  excellence  and  absolute  necessity. 
Hence,  the  result  is  certain, — the  world 
will  be  educated.  But  shall  this  education 
be  merely  physical  and  intellectual — such 
education  as  will  make  the  man  proud. 


40 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


and  wise  and  strong  to  do  evil  ? or  shall 
it  also  be  moral — that  training  of  the 
heart  which  alone  can  fit  and  dispose  its 
subjects  to  use  their  high  powers  to  the 
glory  of  God,  the  good  of  their  fellow 
creatures,  and  their  own  happiness  ? 

Now,  we  know  of  nothing  that  can 
supply  the  moral  education  which  human 
nature  needs,  but  Christianity.  It  was  for 
the  want  of  this  that  all  ancient  nations 
declined  and  came  to  ruin.  Without 
this,  free  institutions  cannot  be  sustained. 
A perfect  church  would  of  course  best 
supply  this  want.* 

But  here,  taking  Christians  as  they 
are,  the  good  effect  of  denominational 


* Let  it  be  here  remarked,  once  for  all,  that  when  we  use, 
in  the  following  inquiry,  the  terms  perfect, — and  perfectly 
holy,  and  similar  expressions  in  regard  to  Christians  and 
the  church, — we  do  not  employ  them  in  their  absolute, 
but  relative  sense.  We  mean,  in  other  words,  a very  high 
degree  of  holiness  or  spiritual  excellence,  such  as  the  char- 
acters of  seme  of  the  saints  have,  in  every  age,  exhibited, 
and,  we  doubt  not,  do  now  exhibit ; and  such  as  believers 
will  generally,  if  not  universally  possess  in  “the  latter 
day  glory.” 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


41 


divisions  is  strikingly  seen.  What  multi-  ' 
tudes  of  schools,  academies,  and  colleges  ■ 
have  these  brought  into  existence.  Each  , 
denomination  wishes  its  youth  educated  / 
not  only  in  our  common  Christianity,  but  ^ 
in  its  own  peculiarities;  and  to  extend 
this  instruction,  as  widely  as  possible,  as 
one  powerful  means  of  advancing  its  own 
growth  and  prosperity.  So  well  is  this 
understood  that  the  denomination  who 
could  be  so  infatuated  as  to  neglect 
the  work  of  education,  would  be  univer- 
sally and  confidently  expected  to  dwindle 
and  come  to  nought.  But  none  are  now 
so  unwise;  and  this  desire  to  educate 
has  multiplied  and  is  multiplying  schools, 
and  the  means  of  instruction  generally, 
and  teachers,  and  pupils,  to  an  extent 
which  mere  Christianity  — we  mean,  such 
as  we  have  hitherto  been  privileged  to 
behold  — could  never  have  reached. 


42 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  PROMOTED 
THEOLOGICAL  KNOWLEDGE  AND  SOUND,  SCRIP- 
TURAL DOCTRINE  "? 

Personal  piety  highly  conducive  to  theological  knowledge 
and  sound  doctrine.  A united  and  eminently  holy  church 
would,  therefore,  be  an  eminently  enlightened  church,  and 
most  active  in  diffusing  the  light ; but  just  the  opposite  is  it 
with  a powerful,  unholy  church.  . The- tendency  of  denomi- 
national division  to  spread  the  truth  ; — this  shewn  also  indi- 
rectly where  religious  liberty  is  not  allowed. 

It  has  been  remarked,  with  equal 
beauty  and  truth,  that  love  in  the  heart 
is  the  best  commentary  on  the  bible. 
Just  in  proportion  as  we  are  under  the 
influence  of  this  holy  principle,  will  we 
discover  the  suitableness,  the  precious- 
ness, and  all-sufficiency  of  God’s  word. 
And  if  so  with  the  individual  Christian, 
what  heights  and  depths,  what  brightness 
and  glory  would  be  seen  in  the  scriptures 
by  the  whole  church  if  made  perfect  in 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


43 


love ! Were  all  Christians  even  Leigh- 
tons or  Baxters,  Brainerds  or  Martyns, 
how  effulgent  the  illumination,  and  how 
quickly  would  it  be  poured  over  the 
dark  places  of  the  earth ! But  had  the 
church  remained  one,  and  lived  up  to 
her  high  privileges,  she  would  long  since 
have  attained  to  such  riches  of  knowl- 
edge and  wisdom  in  the  study  of  divine 
truth  as  none  can  now  conceive,  and  few 
believe.  Emphatically  would  she  have 
been  “the  light  of  the  world.” 

But  just  the  opposite  of  this  is  it  with 
a great,  united,  unholy  church.  Her 
light  becomes  darkness,  deeper  and  deeper; 
and,  as  she  goes  down  into  the  val- 
ley of  spiritual  death,  and  its  gloom  apd 
corruptions  thicken  around  her,  she  strives, 
with  the  instinct  of  self-preservation,  to 
conceal  from  the  people  the  scriptures 
that  condemn  her,  and  persecutes'  all  who 
love  and  cleave  to  God’s  word.  The  igno- 
rance, wickedness,  and  cruelty  into  which 
such  a body  may  sink,  would  be  utterly 


44 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


incredible,  were  it  not  for  those  dread- 
ful records  which  the  faithful  pages  of 
history  hold  up. 

But  who  cannot  see  that  here,  in  the 
absence  of  a perfectly  holy  church,  de- 
nominational divisions  among  Christians 
have  been  over-ruled  for  great  good  ? — 
The  desire  to  sustain  its  own  posi- 
tions and  carry  out  its  own  views  has 
stimulated  each  denomination  to  search 
thoroughly  into  God’s  word,  and  to  ran- 
sack every  department  of  human  knowl- 
edge for  whatever  might  develope  the 
sense  of  the  bible.  How  much  this  has 
done  to  promote  theological  knowledge, 
and  sound,  scriptural  doctrine  may  easily 
be  seen  by  any  one  who  will  contrast  those 
parts  of  Christendom  in  which  liberty  of 
conscience  and  of  denominational  dift’erence 
exists,  with  those  in  which  it  does  not. 
In  the  one  the  people  are  ignorant,  super- 
stitious, oppressed,  degraded,  miserable;  in 
the  other  they  are  comparatively  enlight- 
ened, fi-ee,  elevated,  and  happy. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


45 


CHAPTER  VII. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  GREATLY 
EXTENDED  AND  ELEVATED  THE  RELIGIOUS 
PERIODICAL  PRESS'? 

The  periodical  press  in  despotic  countries.  Salutary  effects 
of  religious  liberty  upon  the  religious  periodical  press. — 
This  press  commands  the  best  minds  and  the  patronage  of 
each  denomination.  Its  excellence ; — rDr.  Chalmers’  testi- 
mony ; — it  is  dreaded  by  those  who  hate  the  truth  and 
love  arbitrary  power. 

We  here  say  nothing  of  the  secular, 
periodical  press,  though  it  might  easily  be 
shewn  that  this  flourishes  most,  and  indeed 
only  where  denominational  divisions  exist. 
What  is  this  press  in  Russia,  Austria, 
Spain,  Portugal,  or  Italy  f It  scarcely 
exists,  except  in  the  case  of  some  few  gov- 
ermental  organs,  and  scientific  journals — 
and  these  all  under  the  strictest  police. 

But  it  is  emphatically  true,  that  denomi- 
national division  has  proved  the  most 


46 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


powerful  means  of  extending  and  elevating 
the  religious  periodical  press.  Indeed,  it 
was  denominational  division  that  called  it 
into  existence.  Where  was  it  before  the 
Reformation  ? And  where  is  it  now,  in 
those  lands  unblessed  by  that  event  ? 

Hence,  where  there  is  most  religious 
liberty,  there  we  find  the  greatest  nmn- 
ber  of  religious  periodicals,  and  these 
of  the  highest  character,  literary  and  theo- 
logical. It  cannot  be  otherwise.  For 
freedom  of  conscience  has  ever  been  ac- 
companied by  denominational  differences 
and  each  denomination  has  speedily  be- 
come sensible  that  the  periodical  press, 
if  rightly  conducted,  would  prove  one  of 
its  most  ready  and  efficient  means  of 
defence  and  extension  ; and  none  could 
long  close  their  eyes  to  its  value  as  an 
instrument  of  propagating  their  common 
Christianity. 

For  these  reasons  the  periodical  press 
has  ever  commanded,  in  each  denomina- 
tion, their  best  talent,  and  called  out  such 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


47 


an  interest  in  its  behalf,  at  least  among 
themselves,  as  secured  for  it  their  general 
patronage.  The  very  collisions  which 
occasionally  take  place  between  the  peri- 
odicals of  different  denominations  will  be 
sure  to  arouse  increased  attention  to  them, 
and  promote  their  circulation.  And  has 
not  all  experience  proved,  that  under 
such  circumstances,  these  publications  will 
not  only  multiply,  but  rise  in  ability  and 
every  real  excellence  of  character  ? It 
was  recently  and  justly  remarked  of  the 
periodical  press,  generally,  by  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  transatlantic  scholars 
and  divines.  Dr.  Chalmers,  that  it  exhib- 
ited the  finest  specimens  of  every  variety 
of  English  style ; that  nothing  superior  to 
it  in  ease,  beauty,  and  vigor  could  be 
found  in  the  most  finished  pages  of  Swift, 
Addison,  and  other  Classic  writers  of  the 
past  age. 

We  have  no  sympathy,  therefore,  with 
those  who  grieve  over  the  multiplication 
of  religious  periodicals,  and  would  limit 


48 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


these  to  a very  few,  issued  in  our  chief 
cities.  We  are  quite  confident  that  those 
left  after  such  a proscription  would  soon 
be  no  better  supported  than  they  now 
are;  and  entirely  confident  that  they  would 
not  deserve  it  so  well. 

Neither  do  we  sympathize  with  the 
complaints  now  and  then  heard,  of  the 
freedom  of  the  periodical  press  in  its  no- 
tices of  the  proceedings  of  ecclesiastical 
bodies,  and  the  doings  of  ecclesiastical 
functionaries.  “Every  one  that  doeth  evil 
hateth  the  light,  neither  cometh  to  the 
light,  lest  his  deeds  should  be  reproved ! 
But  he  that  doeth  truth,  cometh  to  the 
light,  that  his  deeds  may  be  made  mani- 
fest, that  they  are  wrought  in  God.”— 
Those  who  hate  the  truth  and  love  arbi- 
trary power  will  always  dread  a sound, 
independent  press.  They  can  manage 
every  other  adversary  more  easily  than 
this  ; and  so  long  as  it  remains  unbought, 
or  unawed  into  submission,  they  can  have 
no  hope  of  success. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


49 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

DOES  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  TEND  TO 
PRODUCE  A SUPERIOR  MORALITY  ? 

“ Bv  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them”  — a rule  which 
appeals  to  the  conscience  and  common  sense  of  men  ; — its 
influence  in  raising  the  standard  of  discipline  wherever  diflfer- 
cnt  denominations  exist; — countries  ovcrshado%ved  by  an 
intolerant,  establisiied  church,  are  sure  to  run  down  in  mor 
als, — Sweden,  Russia,  &.c. 


There  is  something  in  the  scriptural  rule  — 
•‘by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them;”  — 
which  commends  it  to  every  man’s  con- 
science and  common  sense.  Hence,  the 
different  denominations  have  not  failed  to 
perceive  that  however  perfect  their  theo- 
logical defences  might  be,  these  would 
not  be  sufficient  to  protect  them,  and 
much  less  to  win  others  to  their  ranks. 
They  must  excel  others  in  those  practical 
fruits  of  which  all  can  judge  and  for  which 
all  are  watchful,  if  they  would  grow,  and 
be  strong,  and  extend  their  influence. 
This  has  unquestionably  raised  a loftier' 
standard  of  discipline  in  each  denomina- 


50 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


tion,  led  them  to  look  more  careftilly  over 
the  walk  of  their  members,  and  promptly 
to  clear  themselves  of  those  bad  characters 
and  evil  practices  which  would  other- 
wise be  sure  to  disgrace  and  weaken  them, 
and  hinder  their  progress.  In  a word,  this 
denominational  watchfulness,  each  of  itself 
and  over  every  other,  has  produced, — 
defectively  indeed,  and  yet  to  an  extent 
which  cannot  but  excite  in  the  bosom  of 
the  enlightened  Christian  lively  emotions  of 
pleasure  and  thankfulness, — has  produced 
in  a goodly  degree  those  moral  fruits 
which  only  the  watchful  care  of  a church 
“ made  perfect  in  love  ” would  have  ripen- 
ed into  the  highest  excellence. 

But  just  as  a single  church  has  had 
exclusive  possession  of  a country  will  the 
morals  of  its  members  be  low,  partly  from 
the  ignorance  into  which  they  are  sure 
to  sink,  and  in  part,  because  such  a church 
will  be  almost  uniformly  disposed  rather  to 
wink  at  and  cover  over,  than  expose  and 
correct  the  faults  of  its  members.  In 
Spain,  Portugal,  Italy,  Mexico,  and  Brazil 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


51 


where  only  one  denomination  is  tolerated, 
the  state  of  morals  is  very  corrupt;  but  in 
England,  whose  ecclesiastical  establishment 
is  surrounded  by  so  many  dissenting  bodies, 
it  is  vastly  better;  and,  again,  in  Scotland, 
where  the  state  church  is  nearly  balanced 
by  rival  communions,  it  is  still  better. 

But  we  have  other,  and  yet  more  re- 
markable instances  in.  point,  Sweden, 
nominally  protestant,  tolerates  but  one 
church ; she  permits  neither  schism  nor 
dissent.  Even  an  humble,  unpretending 
Methodist  Chapel,  which  had  been  for  a 
short  time  winked  at  in  Stockholm,  was 
recently  closed.  We  are  not  surprised, 
therefore,  upon  looking  into  the  moral  sta- 
tistics of  this  kingdom,  to  find  it  more 
corrupt  than  any  other  protestant  state  in 
Europe.  Intemperance  and  licentiousness, 
with  their  host  of  attendant  evils  prevail, 
to  a lamentable  extent.* 

Intolerant  Russia,  with  her  Greek 
church,  is  in  quite  as  bad,  if  not  a ■ worse 

•Laing’s  Tour  in  Sweden  in  1838.  Also,  Rev.  Dr.  Baird’s 
Visit  to  Northern  Europe,  Vol.  ii,  page  181 — 202. 


52 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


condition.f  One  fact  speaks  volumes  con- 
cerning its  morals.  The  sale  of  spirituous 
liquors  is  an  affair  of  government.  It  thus, 
instead  of  being  the  guardian  of  the  mor- 
als of  the  people,  becomes  the  great,  uni- 
versally present,  and  almost  irresistible 
tempter  to  vice.  It  has,  too,  its  agents 
for  the  traffic  in  intoxicating  drinks  wher- 
ever they  can  possibly  find  customers, — 
No  less  than  eighty-one  millions  of  gal- 
lons of  Brandy  alone,  are  thus  purchased 
and  drunk  each  year  by  the  peasantry. 
The  profits  of  this  horrid,  demoralizing 
traffic  yield  to  the  government  nearly  one 
fourth  of  its  revenues.  “The  condition  of 
these  countries”  — Sweden  and  Russia  — 
justly  remarks  a recent  writer,  “is  a poor 
recommendation  of  religious  uniformity.” 

With  such  facts  before  us,  the  inference 
is  irresistible.  Professing  Christians  must 
be  much  more  holy  than  they  hitherto 
have  usually  been,  before  they  can  safely 
dispense  with  mutual  denominational  watch- 
fulness and  reciprocal  moral  influence. 


t Dr.  Pinkerton’s  Russia. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


53 


CHAPTER  IX. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  DONE  MUCH 
TO  ACCOMMODATE  CHRISTIANITY  TO  THE  VAST 
VARIETY  OF  INTELLECT,  TASTE,  HABITS,  AND 
PURSUITS  AMONG  MEN  1 

Men  and  classes  of  men  differ  very  widely  ; — what  moves 
and  attracts  one  will  often  have  no  effect  upon,  or  perhaps  re- 
pel another.  Hence,  in  temporal  things,  a wise  man  varies  his 
modes  of  influence.  This  diversity  of  human  character  and 
con  dition  has  produced  denominational  differences,  and  the 
result  has  been  a large  gain  to  the  church.  Even  without 
division,  the  Church,  if  entirely  imbued  with  “ the  spirit 
of  love  and  of  a sound  mind,  ” would  provide  for  the  vari- 
ous exigencies  of  men. 

That  men  differ  very  much  in  mind  and 
taste,  as  well  as  in  their  habits  and  pur- 
suits in  life,  is  manifest;  and  it  is  equally 
manifest  that  these  differences  must  not 
be  overlooked  by  him  who  would  inform 
or  influence  them.  That  which  is  strongly 
attractive  to  one  will  have  no  interest 
for  another.  What  this  class  can  easily  un- 

F 


54 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


derstand,  may  be  utterly  beyond  the  com- 
prehension of  that.  A subject  presented 
in  a certain  way  will  be  highly  pleasing 
to  some,  but  very  offensive  to  others.  — 
A prudent  man  is,  therefore,  careful  to 
accommodate  himself  to  the  intellect,  the 
taste,  the  habits,  and  the  pursuits  of  those 
whom  he  addresses.  He  knows  that  it  is 
only  in  this  way  he  can  interest,  instruct, 
and  influence  them. 

But,  do  not  these  remarks  hold  good 
in  the  things  of  religion,  as  well  as  in 
the  affairs  of  this  life?  Unless  the  same 
prudence  which  sensible,  upright  men 
employ  in  commending  worldly  interests 
to  others  is  exercised  by  the  Christian  in 
his  endeavors  to  do  good,  he  will  certainly 
fail  of  success,  and  not  only  so,  but  often 
injure  the  cause  which  he  has  so  much 
at  heart. 

It  will  readily  be  granted,  that  no  one 
man  has  such  versatility  of  talent  as  fits 
him  equally  to  move  all  orders  of  minds, 
and  all  classes  of  persons.  Indeed,  the 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


55 


very  qualifications  which  pre-eminently 
adapt  an  individual  to  operate  upon  one 
portion  of  society,  often  constitute  an  insu- 
perable hindrance  to  his  usefulness  among 
others.  Neither  will  any  careful  observer, 
we  think,  deny  that  different  religious 
denominations,  though  accordant  in  the 
essentials  of  Christianity,  have  their  pecu- 
liar adaptations  to  certain  orders  of  minds, 
and  to  particular  classes  of  the  commu- 
nity. It  is  not  needful  here  to  inquire  into 
the  several  causes  of  these  denomination- 
al varieties, — what  it  is  which  has  impres- 
sed its  peculiarities  upon  each  sect  ; it  is 
sufficient  for  our  purpose  to  know  that 
these  exist.* 

Now,  it  is,  we  believe,  these  different 
types  of  Christianity,  presented  by  the  differ- 
ent Christian  churches,  which  fit  them  for 
widely  different  fields  of  labor  and  influ- 


*The  reader  will  discern  that  above  and  elsewhere  in  the 
course  of  our  remarks  we  use  the  terms,  sect,  sectarian, 
sectarianism,  — not  in  an  odious  sense,  but  simply  as  equiva- 
lents to  the  words — denomination,  denominational,  etc: — 
to  prevent  the  too  frequent  repetition  of  the  latter. 


56 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


ence,  and  thus  enable  them  to  cover  and 
cultivate  much  ground  that  would  other- 
wise be  unoccupied  and  unimproved.  — 
Were  our  Christianity  wholly  Methodistic, 
or  Episcopal,  or  Presbyterian  — such  a 
Christianity  would  be  above  or  below  large 
masses  of  mind;  or,  while  it  might  attract 
one  order  of  hearers,  it  would  disgust  and 
repel  many  others.  Doubtless,  there  are 
multitudes  who  become  pious  and  reach 
heaven  under  Methodistic  ministrations, 
whom  Presbyterianism  could  never  reach. 
And  the  latter  may  be  the  honored  means 
of  turning  to  God  many  who  would  be 
totally  uninfluenced  by  the  services  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  Episcopacy,  in  its  turn, 
presents  attractions  and  extends  saving 
blessings  to  a large  class  whom  neither 
Methodism  nor  Presbyterianism  could  in- 
fluence. The  same  remarks  may  be  ex- 
tended to  other  evangelical  denominations. 
Their  several  peculiarities  fit  them  for  their 
several  fields  of  exertion ; and  prepare  each 
to  accomplish  a good  which  none  other 
could  achieve. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


57 


Till,  then,  the  church  has  such  a mea- 
sure of  wisdom,  and  love,  and  efficiency,  as 
will  enable  and  dispose  her  to  adapt  her- 
self to  the  great  varieties  which  exist 
among  men — -in  other  words,  till  the  church 
has  become  much  more  holy  than  she  has 
ever  yet  been  — denominational  division 
will  continue,  and  continue  also  to  be  a 
benefit  to  the  world. 


CHAPTER  X. 

DOES  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  OPERATE 
TO  COUNTERACT  THE  EVILS  OF  ULTRAISM? 

What  ultraisin  is.  It  overlooks  times,  circumstances,  and, 
too  often,  charity.  The  tendency  to  ultraism  always  exists. 
True  zeal  not  ultraism.  Different  manifestations  of  ultra- 
ism,— how  denominational  division  counteracts  thes  . 

By  ultraism  in  religion  we  mean  the  car- 
rying out  of  some  principle,  true  and 
good  in  itself,  beyond  sound  judgment  and 


58 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


charity.  There  is  a time  for  all  things; 
and  what  is  proper  and  right  in  some 
circumstances,  may  be  very  improper  and 
wrong  under  others.  It  is  the  part  of  Chris- 
tian wisdom  to  decide  in  such  cases ; and 
where  her  decisions  are  respected,  peace 
and  love,  as  well  as  progress  in  every 
true  excellence  may  be  looked  for.  But 
ultraism  would  destroy  nearly  all  this 
good.  It  overlooks  times  — makes  no 
account  of  circumstances,  and,  without 
designing  it,  too  often  tramples  the  claims 
of  charity  under  foot. 

The  tendency  to  ultraism  always  exists, 
and  must  be  guarded  against,  even  in  the 
best.  But  it  is  in  men  of  defective  judg- 
ment and  ardent  temperament  that  its 
evils  are  most  seen.  Even  a very  high 
degree  of  piety  cannot  always  preserve 
such  men  from  its  disastrous  influences.- — 
Let  us  not  here  be  misunderstood.  We 
would  not  say  one  word  in  disparagement 
of  true  zeal;  far  from  this;  we  regard  it 
as  the  genial  warmth  of  godliness,  and 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


59 


full  of  blessings.  Without  it  our  religion  is 
a dead  and  worse  than  useless  form. — 
But  a “ zeal  without  knowledge”  — the 
ultraism  of  which  we  are  now  speaking, 
is  alike  injurious  to  its  subject  and  to  the 
church. 

But,  whether  zeal  be  true  or  false,  it  is 
necessarily  efficient;  and,  therefore,  just  in 
proportion,  as  a church  is  defective  in  holi- 
ness will  ultraism,  in  some  of  its  operations, 
be  sure  to  manifest  itself.  Hence,  one 
denomination,  in  its  superstitious  venera- 
tion for  the  Lord’s  Supper,  did  not  hesitate 
to  drive  away  thousands  of  her  best 
members  because  they  were  unwilling  to 
receive  it  in  a kneeling  posture.  Some 
churches  have  barred  their  communion 
against  all  who  cannot  subscribe  to 
the  doctrine  of  total  abstinence,  or,  in 
common  phrase,  take  the  temperance 
pledge ; thus,  making  it  a vital  point  of 
Christianity.*  And  on  the  other  hand. 


* Total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  liquors  aa  a beve- 
rage, is,  without  doubt,  one  most  important  means  of 
promoting  the  great,  and  very  comprehensive  Christian  grace 


60 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Others  have  excommunicated  all  who  join 
a temperance  society,  or  any  other  vol- 
untary association  for  moral  purposes. — 
Others,  again,  will  tolerate  only  a particu- 
lar style  of  garb,  address  and  living  in 
their  members.  The  coat,  the  speech, 
the  furniture,  must  all  be  of  the  precise 
cut,  or  the  offender  be  cast  out.  Such 
instances  it  would  be  quite  an  easy,  but 
by  no  means  a pleasant  task  to  multi- 
ply to  almost  any  extent.  Let  those 
mentioned  suffice. 

Whilst,  then,  we  deny  not  that  the 
Lord’s  Supper  is  to  be  rev^erenced,  that 
temperance  is  a Christian  virtue,  that 


of  temperance.  So  important,  indeed,  is  this  principle  in 
the  eyes  of  the  writer,  that  he  sees  not  how  any  really  pious 
man,  in  view  of  the  whole  subject,  could  refuse  to  adopt 
it.  And,  as  light  is  rapidly  increasing,  the  day  will  soon 
come,  we  feel  assured,  when  all  Christians  will  think  alike 
in  this  matter.  But,  that  there  are  now  many  such  who 
are  not  “fully  persuaded  in  their  own  minds,”  is  a fact  wc 
cannot  deny.  Were,  then,  the  temperance  pledge  univer- 
sally adopted  as  a term  of  communion,  would  not  many 
be  rejected  whom  the  Lord  has  received?  And  what  are 
we  that  we  ean  thus  withstand  God? 

If  Paul  would  not  oat  even  meat,  while  the  world  stood, 
lest  he  might  offend  a weak  brother,  surely  tlie  same  charity 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


61 


abuses  of  voluntary  associations  are  to  be 
carefully  guarded  against,  and  that  all  im- 
propriety in  dress,  conversation,  and  mode 
of  living,  is  contrary  to  God’s  word, 
we  cannot  close  our  eyes  to  the  evils 
which  ultraism  on  these  subjects  would 
introduce  into  the  church.  Were  any  one 
of  the  present  denominations  the  sole 
church  tolerated  in  our  land,  what  multi- 
tudes of  the  truly  pious  would,  by  its  ultra- 
isms,  be  excluded  from  its  communion!  And 
yet,  have  we  any  reason  to  believe  that 
such  an  established  church  would  be  any 
better  in  this  respect  than  the  existing 
denominations  ? Nay,  is  there  not  much 

requires  that  we  abstain  from  what  is  a mere  indulgence, — 
a thing  not  at  all  necessary  to  our  health  or  happiness, — 
but  which  is  fraught  with  wretchedness  and  ruin  to  thou- 
sands. It  is  upon  this  basis  of  Christian  charity  we  would 
place,  so  far  as  the  church  is  concerned,  the  cause  of 
temperance; — and  is  it  not  a ground  broad  enough,  and 
strong  enough,  to  uphold  any  good  cause,  however  great? 
Just  as  fast  as  the  claims  of  the  former  are  understood  and 
appreciated,  will  the  obligations  of  the  latter  be  respected. 

Does  not  true  charity,  then,  call  upon  the  church  to 
diffuse  the  light  as  rapidly  and  widely  as  possible,  and 
enjoin  upon  her,  at  the  same  time,  to  render  her  discipline 
commensurate,  and  only  commensurate  with  such  illumina- 


62 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


reason  to  fear  that  it  would  be  vastly 
more  ultra;  and  that  all  who  refused  to 
“ receive  its  mark  in  their  right  hand  or 
in  their  foreheads,”  would  not  only  be 
excommunicated,  but  persecuted  even  unto 
prison  and  to  death. 

Here,  then,  we  discover  one  benefit  of 
differing  denominations.  What  if  they 
have  all  run,  more  or  less,  into  ultraisms, 
it  has  not — thanks  to  an  over-ruling  Provi- 
dence— been  ultraism  of  the  same  kind. 
They  have  operated,  therefore,  in  the  long 
run,  as  correctives  of  each  other’s  errors; 
and,  in  the  meanwhile,  afforded  refuge 
to  the  dissidents  from  each  other’s  ultra- 
ism. 


tion?  If  these  views  are  correct,  each  church  must  now 
be  permitted  to  judge  for  itself,  as  individual  cases  arise, 
how  far  it  may  properly  go  in  this  matter ; and  ought, 
charitably,  to  allow  the  same  liberty  to  other  churches. — 
Differences,  here,  are  not  suflScient  grounds  for  casting  out 
each  other’s  names  as  evil. 

Thus  much  we  have  thought  it  proper  to  say  in  order 
to  prevent,  if  possible,  any  wrong  construction  that  might 
be  put  upon  what  we  have  said,  in  the  above  chapter,  upon 
the  subject  of  temperance.  We  will  add,  only,  that  the 
views  here  thrown  out  are  applicable,  also,  if  we  mistake 
not,  to  most  other  ecclesiastical  ultraisms. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


63 


CHAPTER  XL 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  KEPT  VERY 
MANY  WITHIN  THE  PALE  OF  THE  VISIBLE 
CHURCH.  AND  THUS  SECURED  THEIR  INFLUENCE 
IN  FAVOR  OF  THE  TRUTH,  WHO  WOULD  OTHER- 
WISE HAVE  BEEN  OPPOSERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL, 
OR,  AT  LEAST,  INDIFFERENT  TO  IT  ? 

Three  great  classes  in  the  visible  church, — the  regene- 
rate, the  intelligent  believer,  the  mere  supporter  of  the  sect. 
The  latter,  retained  almost  entirely  by  denominational 
peculiarities.  His  influence,  however,  in  many  respects, 
valuable.  Christianity,  stripped  of  denominational  attractions, 
would  be  sure  to  repel  him. 

There  are  three  great  classes  in  the 
visible  church.  The  first  and  smallest 
class  is  made  up  of  believers,  Christians  in 
the  highest  sense  of  the  term,  those  who 
have  been  regenerated  by  the  Spirit  of 
God.  These  have  a spiritual  discernment 
of  the  truth ; hence,  they  heartily  embrace 
it,  and  faithfully  profess  it  before  men. 
No  change  of  circumstances  can  drive 
such  persons  from  the  church,  because 


64 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


their  attachment  to  it  springs  from  the 
strongest  principles  of  their  nature — a 
conscience  and  a heart  renewed  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Their  highest  interests, 
they  know  to  be  all  identified  with  those 
of  Christ’s  church.  Hence,  they  will 
assuredly  cling  to  it  in  life  and  in  death. 
Upon  the  steadfastness  of  Christians  we 
may  then  calculate  with  the  strongest 
moral  assurance 

A second,  and,  still  larger  class  are  those 
who  hold  the  great  principles  of  Christianity 
because  convinced  of  their  truth.  Such 
persons  may,  therefore,  be  called  intelli- 
gent supporters  of  the  gospel.  Though 
they  are  not  pious  persons,  or  true  Chris- 
tians, and,  of  course,  have  no  saving 
interest  in  the  blessings  of  the  gospel,  yet, 
their  convictions  forbid  their  going  into 
the  ranks  of  infidels,  or  throwing  their 
influence  into  the  scale  of  anti-christian 
errors. 

The  last  class  is  composed  of  those 
whom  denominational  attachment,  alone. 


<:hristian  union. 


65 


keeps  within  the  bounds  of  the  visible 
church.  They  are  not  regenerated  per- 
sons, neither  are  the  doctrines  of  the 
gospel  a matter  of  intelligent  conviction 
with  them.  They  know  little  or  nothing 
about  them;  but  still,  without  making  any 
religious  profession  they  are  more  or  less 
active  supporters  of  the  denominations  to 
which  they  respectively  belong,  and  to 
the  peculiarities  of  which  they  are  attach- 
ed either  from  the  prejudices  of  education, 
or  natural  temperament,  or  some  acci- 
dental circumstance. 

Now,  were  these  several  denominational 
peculiarities  at  once  removed,  the  only 
choice  to  all  such  persons  would  be 
between  the  pure,  holy  truths  of  the  gos- 
pel and  the  godly  life  it  requires,  on  the  one 
hand;  and,  on  the  other,  a state  of  indiffer- 
ence, or  open  infidelity,  or  an  infidelity  the 
more  dangerous,  because  concealed  under 
the  guise  of  some  professedly  Christian, 
hut  really  anti-evangelical  denomination.  — 
It  needs  scarcely  be  said,  where,  in  such 


G 


66 


CHRISTIAN  UNION* 


a case,  the  great  majority  of  these  per- 
sons would  be  found.  The  natural  enmity 
of  their  hearts  thus  called  out,  would 
array  them  at  once  against  the  truth,  or 
at  least  cause  them  to  withdraw  from 
its  support.  They  never  loved  the 
truth;  they  never  upheld  the  church  for  the 
truth’s  sake;  indeed,  they  never  knew  any 
thing  of  the  truth  as  they  ought  to  have 
known  it;  and,  therefore,  the  first  effect 
of  its  bright  beams  now  falling  on  their 
minds  stripped  of  those  denominational 
coverings  amid  which  they  had  hitherto 
lived  and  moved,  would  be  to  drive  them 
off  in  crowds,  and  throw  very  many  of 
them  into  the  ranks  of  a false  Christianity, 
Some,  indeed,  may  suppose  that  this 
would  be  a desirable  result,  that  it  would 
be  better  thus  to  get  rid  of  the  influence 
of  all  such  persons,  who  never  really  were 
the  friends  of  the  gospel  and  of  the 
church  of  Christ.  And  there  is,  we 
grant,  some  truth  in  this  view  of  the 
subject;  but  a more  extended  and  deep 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


67 


observation,  we  are  persuaded,  will  lead 
to  an  opposite  conclusion. 

So  far,  indeed,  as  the  influence  of  this 
class  of  persons  operates  to  the  hindrance 
of  the  truth,  either  in  the  church  or  in 
the  world,  it  would  undoubtedly  be  better 
were  the  church  without  it,  and  every 
pious  man  will  prudently  endeavor  to 
counteract  it.  But,  is  it  not  a fact,  that 
the  operation  of  much  the  larger  portion 
of  their  influence,  without,  it  may  be,  any 
such  wish  or  intention  on  their  part,  is 
really  in  favor  of  the  truth  ? 

Suppose,  for  example,  an  individual 
of  this  class,  — a man  of  substance  and 
a man  of  family, — the  first  he  gives  more 
or  less  liberally  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 
the  second  he  places  under  faithful  minis- 
trations of  the  gospel;  he  himself,  indeed, 
remains  all  his  days  a stranger  to  the 
truth  and  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus;  but 
his  position  necessarily  leads  him  to  sus- 
tain the  gospel,  and  member  after  mem- 
ber of  his  family, — a son,  a daughter. 


68 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


the  wife  of  his  bosom,  — is  brought  to 
feel  its  transforming  power,  and,  in  the 
meanwhile,  his  general  influence  also  in 
society,  is,  upon  the  whole,  in  favor  of 
true  religion.  Every  attentive  observer  of 
the  visible  church  will  discern  that  we 
have  described  a very  common  case. 

Now,  we  ask,  is  it  desirable  to  introduce 
such  a state  of  things  as  would  cause 
this  individual  to  break  away  from  all 
his  ecclesiastical  connections,  and  renounce 
for  himself,  and  those  dependant  upon  him 
the  influence  of  the  church ; or,  what 
is  still  worse,  to  throw  his  family,  his 
property,  his  influence,  all  into  the  scale 
of  error  ? But  these  results  would  inevi- 
tably have  followed  hitherto  in  multitudes 
of  cases  had  denominational  divisions  been 
done  away.  Neither  the  church  nor  the 
world,  if  we  have  not  altogether  misun- 
derstood the  signs  of  the  times,  was  pre- 
pared for  such  a change;  and  the  former 
must,  we  are  persuaded,  be  much  more 
enlightened  and  holy  before  she  can  well 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


69 


dispense  with  those  many  advantages 
which  denominational  divisions,  notwith- 
standing all  their  evils,  have,  in  this  point 
of  view,  actually  conferred  upon  her. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  TENDED  TO 
PREVENT  ECCLESIASTICAL  OPPRESSION  ? 

Each  denomination  compelled  to  maintain  liberty  of 
conscience  ; this  has  kept  alive  the  odium  against  oppression, 
and  obliged  each  sect  to  avoid  even  the  appearance  of  this/ 
evil.  I 

Liberty  of  conscience  and  of  individual 
judgment  in  matters  of  religion,  (that  most 
precious  and  sacred  right  of  human  nature) 
lies  at  the  very  foundation  of  denomina- 
tional distinctions.  Each  denomination, 
therefore,  in  order  to  maintain  its  own  posi- 
tion, is  compelled  to  be  a witness  and 
defender  of  this  great  principle,  and  thus 


70 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


to  oppose  the  worst  form  of  ecclesiastical 
oppression. 

Again,  the  existence  of  different  denomi- 
nations has  served  to  keep  alive  a gene- 
ral odium  against  oppressors,  and  in  this 
way  prevented  each  other,  as  they  valued 
their  character,  and  dreaded  reproach  and 
disgrace,  to  avoid  all  measures  and  acts 
of  an  oppressive  character. 

And,  to  name  no  more,  — the  sympa- 
thy and  protection  which  the  oppressed 
of  one  denomination  will  be  sure  to  meet 
with  in  others,  cannot  but  operate  to 
hinder  oppression.  Where  many  denomi- 
nations exist  in  a country,  the  one  who 
oppresses  its  members,  cannot  fail  to 
drive  them  off,  and  thus  weaken  itself, 
and  strengthen  the  hands  of  its  rivals. 

Till,  then,  the  church  becomes  much 
more  holy,  the  best  preventive  and  remedy 
for  oppression,  will  continue  to  be  diversity 
of  denominations.  It  is  quite  easy  to  see 
that  she  cannot,  as  yet,  do  without  this 
species  of  disciplinary  influence. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


71 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATION A.L  DIVISION  GREATLY 
COUNTERACTED  THE  EVILS  OF  CHURCH  ESTAB- 
LISHMENTS ? 

The  tendency  of  an  established  church  to  oppression,  — 
to  corruption, — to  inefficiency,  — to  deadness: — reformers, 
but  especially  denominational  divisions,  counteract  this. 


The  tendency  of  an  established  church 
to  oppression  is  notorious.  Look  to  what- 
ever age,  or  to  whatever  quarter  of  the 
world  we  may,  this  fact  stares  us  in  the 
face.  The  extent  or  worldly  grandeur  of 
the  favored  denomination  is  by  no  means 
the  sole  cause  of  its  despotic  tendencies.  — 
The  petty  church  of  Geneva  has  griev- 
ously oppressed,  as  well  as  the  large  and 
wealthy  establishment  of  England.  But, 
upon  the  operation  of  denominational 
divisions  to  restrain  such  oppression,  we 
need  here  say  no  more,  having  already 


72 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


sufficiently  dwelt  upon  it  under  our  last 
head. 

There  are,  however,  many  other  evils 
besides  oppression  which  are  sure  to 
accompany  an  ecclesiastical  establishment. 
Pride,  arrogance,  worldliness,  spiritual  igno- 
rance, and  a general  deadness  to  spiritual 
things,  — are  a few  of  these  evils.  Their 
name  is  Legion.  Hence,  the  constant 
tendency  of  such  a church  is  to  run  down; 
and  instead  of  being  “ the  light  of  the 
world,  and  the  salt  of  the  earth,”  to  rest 
as  a thick  cloud  upon  the  people,  and 
become  the  source  of  the  greatest  corrup- 
tions, He  must  have  read  ecclesiastical 
history  to  little  purpose,  who  has  not 
learned  this. 

A reformer,  now  and  then,  raised  up — 
a Wickliff,  a Wesley,  or  a Whitefield, — 
may  in  some  measure  check  these  evils; 
but  the  most  effectual,  and  only  perma- 
nent remedy,  in  the  present  imperfect  state 
of  the  church,  is  the  operation  of  denomi- 
national divisions  upon  the  establishment. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


73 


The  zeal,  activity,  and  spirit  of  liberty 
among  dissenters  cannot  but  exercise  a 
continual  revival  and  reforming  influence 
upon  the  establishment.  And  if,  notwith- 
standing this  salutary  influence,  there  is 
so  much  of  evil  in  the  latter,  what  would 
it  become  were  this  influence  altogether 
to  cease  ? 

The  existence  of  different  denomina- 
tions has,  also,  in  some  measure  made 
up  for  the  insufficiency  of  church  estab- 
lishments to  supply  the  spiritual  wants  of 
the  people.  No  church  establishment  has 
ever  yet  completely  met  the  religious  exi- 
gencies of  a nation,  and  the  continual 
tendency  of  such  an  ecclesiastical  body, 
is  to  become  less  and  less  efficient.  The 
state  of  every  country,  in  which  there  is 
an  established  church,  furnishes  sad  evi- 
dence of  this.  Even  in  England,  and  in 
the  city  of  London,  there  are  parish 
churches  which  cannot  hold  the  tenth  part 
of  the  parishioners.  What  would  become 
of  such  a population  without  the  zeal  and 


74 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


activity  of  other  denominations  ? As  the 
national  church  became  more  and  more 
effete,  they  would  sink  lower  and  lower 
in  heathenish  ignorance  and  depravity, 
till  the  nation  perished  in  its  own  corrup- 
tion. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  KEPT  IN 
VIEW  MANY  IMPORTANT  PRINCIPLES  WHICH, 
OTHERWISE,  MIGHT  HAVE  BEEN  LOST  SIGHT 
OF,  OR  TRODDEN  UNDER  FOOT  ? 

A.  constant  tendency  in  the  church  to  lose  sight  of 
important  truths;  — the  world  opposed  to  them.  Quakers,— 
their  good  influence,  &c.  Instances  of  denied,  or  neglected 
truths,  — influence  of  denominational  division  here.  Note. 
Litigation  between  church  members,  debt,  etc.  Discipline 
of  Quakers. 

A PERFECTLY  holy  church  would  have  a 
pure  zeal  for  all  truth.  Hence,  according 
to  the  importance  of  a truth  ^ — its  bear- 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


75 


ings  upon  the  best  interests  of  men,  or 
their  disposition  to  lose  sight  of  it,  or 
reject  it  on  account  of  its  crossing  some 
of  their  cherished  corruptions,  — would 
such  a church  hold  up  that  truth,  and 
meekly  but  earnestly  contend  for  it. 

But,  the  whole  history  of  the  church 
has  shewn  a disposition  to  compromise 
important  truths,  and,  in  very  many  cases, 
give  them  up  entirely.  The  world,  also, 
and  the  great  Adversary  of  the  gospel 
are,  of  course,  in  open  opposition  to  divine 
truth;  and  these  have  been  so  powerful 
that  an  imperfect  church  has  not  always 
had  strength  enough  to  make  effectual  re- 
sistance. Thus,  truth  after  truth  has  been 
wrested,  as  it  were,  from  the  church,  and 
its  light  put  out,  and  the  world  enabled 
to  walk  on,  unrebuked,  in  the  darkness 
it  so  much  desired.  There  have  been 
times,  for  example,  when  scarcely  a voice 
was  heard  in  the  church  for  peace,  tem- 
perance, liberty  of  conscience,  and  other 
rights  of  man.  Wars,  violence,  oppres- 


76 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


sion — corruption,  in  ten  thousand  forms, 
threatened  to  cover  the  earth. 

In  these  exigencies  faithful  witnesses 
arose  in  behalf  of  the  abjured  or  neglected 
truths.  For  their  testimony  they  were 
often  thrust  out  by  an  unfaithful  church, 
or  they  separated  themselves  fi'om  it  ; — in 
either  case,  they  held  fast  to  these  truths  as 
the  bond  of  their  imion,  and  continued  to 
bear  a suffering  testimony  for  them,  till,  at 
last,  their  voice  was  heard  even  by  their 
very  oppressors.  Who  can  tell,  for  exam- 
ple, how  much  Christendom  of  this  day  is 
indebted  to  the  Quakers  for  their  meek, 
persevering  maintenance  of  peace  and  tem- 
perance principles,  and  their  opposition  to 
oppression  in  all  its  forms?  Their  averse- 
ness to  litigation  also,  and  their  rigid 
discipline  against  all  dishonesty  in  business 
transactions  have,  undoubtedly,  not  been 
without  their  effect  upon  other  denomina- 
tions.* We  have  often  thought  that  God, 


* The  points  above  alluded  to,  viz.,  litigation  between 
church  members,  and  unfairness  in  business  transactions, 
arc  worthy  of  much  more  thought  than  they  have  generally 


CHKISTIAN  UNION. 


77 


peradventure  has  kept  them  alive,  as  a 
denomination,  for  their  faithful  testimony  to 
these  important  principles. 

There  are  other  great  truths  which  are 
exceedingly  apt  to  be  overlooked  or  denied. 
For  example,  the  comparative  unimpor- 
tance of  mere  forms.  Have  not  some 
spoken  as  if  they  verily  believed  that  no 
prayer  could  possibly  be  heard  unless  it 
was  extempore  ?— and  others  as  strenu- 
ously contended  for  the  use  of  a prayer- 


received.  We  would,  therefore,  iisk  the  reader’s  serious 
attention  to  a few  passages  of  God’s  word  in  which  the 
duty  of  professors  of  religion  and  the  church,  with  reference 
to  this  whole  subject,  is  most  plainly  set  forth. 

“ Dare  any  of  you,  having  a matter  against  another, 
go  to  law  before  the  unjust,  and,  not  before  the  saints  ? — 
Do  ye  not  know  that  the  saints  shall  judge  the  world  } 
And,  if  the  world  shall  be  judged  by  you,  are  ye  unworthy 
to  judge  the  smallest  matters?  Know  ye  not  that  we 
shall  judge  angels  ? How  much  more  things  that  per- 
tain to  this  life?  If,  then,  ye  have  judgments  of  things 
pertaining  to  this  life,  set  them  to  judge  who  are  least 
esteemed  in  the  church.  I speak  to  your  shame.  Is  it 
80  that  there  is  not  a wise  man  among  you  7 No,  not 
one  that  shall  be  able  to  judge  between  his  brethren?— 
But  brother  goeth  to  law  with  brother,  and  that  before, 
the  unbelievers.  Now,  therefore,  there  is  utterly  a fault 
among  you,  because,  ye  go  to  law  one  with  another; 


78 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


book  on  all  occasions?  Nay,  some  have 
been  found  to  maintain  that  every  pin, 
and  cord,  and  stake  in  their  tabernacle 
was  of  divine  appointment  ; and  therefore 
that  the  least  departure  from  their  mode 
of  church  government  and  form  of  wor- 
ship was  schism.  “ The  temple  of  the 
Lord,  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  the  temple 
of  the  Lord  are  these.” 

Now,  suppose  that  the  church  had 
continued  one,  and  been  no  holier  than 


why  do  ye  not  rather  take  wrong  ? Why  do  ye  not 
rather  sutfer  yourselves  to  be  defrauded  ? Nay,  ye  do 
wrong,  nnd  defraud,  and  that  your  brethren.”  (I  Cor.  vi : 
1—8). 

“Owe  no  man  anything,  but  to  love  one  another.”  — 
(Rom.  XIII : 8). 

“ Study  to  be  quiet,  and  to  do  your  own  business,  and 
to  work  with  your  own  hands,  as  we  commanded  you: 
that  ye  may  walk  honestly  towards  them  that  are  without, 
and  that  ye  may  have  lack  of  nothing.” — ( 1 Thess.  iv  : 
11  — 12). 

“ For  yourselves  know  how  ye  ought  to  follow  us:  for 
we  behaved  not  ourselves  disorderly  among  )’ou.  Neither 
did  we  eat  any  man’s  bread  for  nought;  but  wrought 
with  labor  and  travail,  night  and  day,  that  we  might  not 
be  chargeable  to  any  of  you : not  because  we  have  not 
power,  but  to  make  ourselves  an  ensample  unto  you  to 
follow  us.  For  even  when  we  were  with  you,  this  w« 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


79 


it  has  ever  yet  been,  would  not  some  one 
of  these  forms  have  been  the  idolatry  of 
Christendom,  admitting  no  rival,  and  press- 
ing like  an  incubus  upon  the  heart  of 
true  piety  ? 

But  the  existence  of  different  denomi- 
nations has  demonstrated  the  comparative 
worthlessness  of  mere  forms,  by  shewing 
that  essential  Christianity — enlightened, 
practical  godliness — can  live  and  flourish 


eomraanded  you,  that  if  any  would  not  work,  neither  should 
he  eat.”  — (2  Thess.  in:  7 — 10). 

Here,  then,  we  are  taught  that  a strict  integrity  in 
all  our  dealings,  as  well  as  industry  in  some  lawful  pursuit, 
are  scriptural  duties.  He,  who  neglects  them,  can  have  no 
well  founded  claim  to  the  christain  character.  Wc  learn, 
also,  that  the  church  ought  to  provide  by  arbitration  for 
preventing,  as  far  as  possible,  her  members  from  prose- 
cuting each  other,  in  the  civil  courts;  and,  that,  she  ought 
carefully  to  see  to  it,  that  no  dishonest  member  disgraces 
her  communion. 

But,  how  sadly  have  most  denominations,  in  their  disci- 
pline, overlooked  these  plain  directions  of  God’s  word!  — 
How  few  sermons  are  ever  heard  on  the  subjects  of  diligence 
in  business,  and  punctuality  in  paying  debts  ! It  is  to  be 
feared  that  such  admonitions  would  be  sorely  felt  in  many 
congregations,  and  the  preacher  be  thought  very  old  fashioned 
in  his  notions. 

Christians  of  other  names  would  here  do  well  to  take  a 


80 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


under  almost  every  ecclesiastical  consti- 
tution and  mode  of  worship.  Good  men 
in  different  ranks,  begin  to  see  these 
tilings;  hence,  it  is  becoming  more  and 
more  difficult  to  get  them  enlisted  in  con- 
troversy about  mere  forms;  and  they  are 
more  heartily  disposed  to  make  common 
cause  with  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  the  great  work  of  extending 
the  blessings  of  his  truth  and  kingdom. 

lesson  from  the  Quakers.  In  “ The  Discipline  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  ” the  principles  of  the  gospel  upon  these 
subjects,  are  faithfully  adhered  to.  It  directs,  first,  private 
remonstrance  ; and,  then,  if  not  successful,  arbitrati.'n  ; and, 
in  the  last  resort,  the  action  of  the  Meeting : and  all  this 
in  so  judicious  and,  manifestly  equitable  a manner  as  rarely 
fails  of  securing  justice,  and  preventing  litigation. 

In  the  case  of  a member’s  refusing,  or  neglecting  to 
pay  his  debts,  he  is  at  once  kindly,  but  firmly  dealt  with. 
He  must  '■'without  too  long  delaij'’  do  his  duty  in  the  mat- 
ter, or  be  disowned. 

#Let  it  be  noted,  also,  that  their  discipline,  in  the 
true  spirit  of  scriptural  i itegrity,  will  not  allow  that  any 
bankrupt  law  can  free  a man  from  the  moral  obligation  of 
debt.  Hence,  as  soon  as  any  one  of  their  members,  who 
has  taken  the  benefit  of  such  a law,  becomes  able  to  dis- 
charge the  claims  upon  him,  he  is  required  so  to  do. — 
What  is  this  more  than  simple  honesty  I and,  surely,  a 
church  member  ought  to  be,  at  least,  an  honest  man. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


81 


CHAPTER  XV. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  OPENED  A 
NEVP  AND  VERY  IMPORTANT  FIELD  OF  USEFUL- 
NESS! 

A prophet  not  accepted  in  his  own  country;  — and 
why  1 The  operation  of  this  principle  in  different  denomi- 
nations in  securing  peculiar  courtesy  to  the  stranger; — Dr. 
Milnor’s  testimony; — Also,  its  influence  in  spreading  oppor- 
tunities of  usefulness  before  those  whose  fidelity  to  the 
gospel  has  limited  or  destroyed  their  power  to  do  good  in 
their  own  denomination. 

There  is  in  the  heart  of  man,  and  espe- 
cially of  civilized  man,  a disposition  to 
look  kindly  upon  the  stranger,  and  to 
receive  his  communications  with  a marked 
interest  and  respect.  The  same  things 
will  not  command  half  the  attention  to 
one  with  whom  we  have  been  habitually 
conversant. 

It  is  in  accordance  with  this  principle 
of  human  nature  our  Lord  tells  us — ^“No 


82 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


prophet  is  accepted  in  his  own  country.” 
It  is,  also,  we  have  often  thought,  an  exem- 
plification, and  a most  convincing  proof  of 
the  same  truth,  that  the  Great  Head  of 
the  church  has,  in  his  wise  and  holy 
providence,  so  ordered  it,  that  very  few 
ministers  ever  preach  the  gospel  to  those 
among  whom  they  have  been  brought 
up.  Their  lot,  without  any  particular  effort 
on  their  part,  and,  indeed,  not  unfrequently 
contrary  to  their  inclinations,  is  commonly 
cast  in  some  far  distant  community. 

But,  has  not  the  principle  here  brought 
to  view  been  made  especially  strong  and 
operative  by  denominational  division  ? — 
Not  only  as  Christians  are  the  people  of 
any  particular  communion  disposed  to 
exercise  a charitable  spirit  towards  the 
professedly  pious  stranger  who  may  appear 
among  them,  but  as  members  of  the  denomi- 
nation, each  one  seems  to  feel  that  its 
honor  requires  of  him,  in  such  cases,  a 
pecufiar  manifestation  of  courtesy,  and 
confiding  kindness.  Who  that  has  at  all 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


83 


mingled  in  Christian  intercourse,  with  other 
denominations,  has  not  experienced  this  ? 
We  have  often  heard  that  noble-hearted 
man  of  God,  the  lamented  Milnor,  speak 
in  terms  of  warmest  gratitude  of  the 
affectionate  treatment  he  received  from 
evangelical  Christians  of  different  names, 
and  of  the  broad  and  delightful  field  of 
usefulness  thus  opened  to  him.  It  was 
doubtless  such  intercourse  and  such  labors 
that  greatly  contributed  to  that  rare  eleva- 
tion and  refinement  of  character  which 
clustered  about  him  the  reverence  and 
affection  of  all  who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  made  even  men  of  the  world 
feel  the  vast  superiority  of  the  Christian 
gentleman. 

But,  there  is  another  view  of  this  sub- 
ject, which  ought  not,  in  these  days  to 
be  overlooked. 

We  have  seen  how  denominational  divi- 
sion ordinarily  operates  to  extend,  in  many 
cases,  the  sphere  of  Christian  usefulness. 
But,  besides  this,  are  there  not  circum- 


84 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


stances,  now  and  then,  occurring  in  different 
denominations,  which  render  to  some  good 
men  the  field  thus  opened  almost  their  only 
sphere  of  influence?  Unless  we  greatly 
mistake,  such  has  too  often  been  the  case. 
To  particularize  these  circumstances,  and 
dwell  upon  their  ever  varying  and  perni- 
cious influences,  would  not  be  possible  in 
the  few  pages  to  which  our  undertaking 
limits  us.  A volume  would  be  necessa- 
ry to  do  justice  to  this  part  of  our  sub- 
ject. And,  such  a volume,  if  faithfully 
written,  though  it  would,  doubtless,  give 
much  pain  to  every  pious  heart,  could  not 
but  be  full  of  profit.  It  would  bring  to 
view,  in  their  most  hateful  aspects,  many 
of  those  evils  which  now  divide  the  visi- 
ble church,  and  throw  much  light  upon 
the  means  of  bringing  about  a true  Chris- 
tian union.  We  can  now,  however,  only 
state  a case  for  the  sake  of  illustrating 
our  position.  The  student  of  ecclesiasti- 
cal history,  or  the  careful  observer  of  the 
present  state  of  the  church  will  readily 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


85 


perceive  that  our  sketch  is  not,  alas  ! a 
mere  picture  of  the  fancy. 

Suppose,  then,  a denomination  thor- 
oughly protestant  in  its  doctrinal  standards 
should  really  become  so  far  corrupted 
from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ,  that 
Socinianism,  or  Popery,  or  some  other 
anti-evangelical  system  of  views,  feelings, 
and  modes  of  action  were  decidedly  in 
the  ascendant  throughout  its  borders.  — 
Who  does  not  see  that  in  such  a state 
of  things,  they  who  remained  faithful, 
would  have  their  influence  and  usefulness 
in  the  denomination  much  restricted,  if 
not  almost  destroyed  ? Why,  their  for- 
mer brethren,  those  who  in  their  own 
denomination  once  professed  a peculiar 
fellowship  for  them  in  the  bonds  of  a 
common  evangelical  faith,  and  with  whom 
they  once  “took  sweet  counsel  together, 
and  walked  unto  the  house  of  God  in 
company,”  would  now  prove  their  most 
determined  enemies,  just  because  apostacy 
ever  feels  the  fidelity  of  former  associates 


86 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


the  most  painfiil  reproach  to  itself,  a 
reproach  that  must,  if  possible,  be  kept 
out  of  view. 

Suppose,  fiirther,  the  pastoral  office  in 
some  congregation,  or  a professorship  in  a 
Theological  Seminary,  or  some  other  posi- 
tion of  influence  in  the  denomination  to 
be  vacant,  who  would  be  most  likely  to 
be  chosen  to  it  ? The  man  who  had 
remained  faithful  % Certainly  not.  How- 
ever exemplary  his  character  as  a Chris- 
tian and  a minister,  and,  however  high 
his  other  qualifications,  he  would  assu- 
redly be  excluded.  Any  one,  however 
dubious  his  pretensions,  the  merest  novice 
in  the  church,  who  had  bowed  the  knee 
to  Baal,  or  was  willing  so  to  do,  would 
be  preferred  to  him.  Indeed,  such  a man 
would  find  himself  hedged  in  on  every 

side.  Nothing  that  power,  and  cunning, 

• . 

and  malignity  could  do  to  excite  preju- 
dice against  him  and  destroy  his  influence, 
would  be  spared.  He  must  either  yield 
to  the  current  of  corruption  that  is  sweep- 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


87 


ing  over  his  church,  or  remain  a pro- 
scribed man. 

Here,  also,  has  denominational  division 
been  often  overruled  for  good.  It  has 
supplied  a field  of  usefulness  to  many 
whose  fidelity  to  Christ  had  very  much 
limited  their  power  to  do  good  in  their  own 
ecclesiastical  bounds.  He  who  has  thus 
shewn  himself  “faithful  among  the  false” 
will  not  only  be  cheerfully  met  and  greeted 
by  Christians  of  other  names  in  the  bible, 
the  tract,  and  other  great  enterprises  of 
their  common  Christianity  ; but  they  will 
be  sure,  also,  to  receive,  with  a peculiarly 
cordial  credence  and  kindness,  any  mani- 
festations, either  public  or  private,  which 
he  may  make,  of  a disposition  to  do  them 
good.  They,  who  in  the  providence  of 
God  have  been  led  farthest  into  this  field, 
have  found  it  continually  enlarging  before 
them,  and  presenting,  on  aU  sides,  most 
favorable  opportunities  for  wise  and  holy 
efforts.  Hence,  at  every  step,  the  humbling 
conviction  has  been  forced  upon  them. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


that  their  own  deficiency  in  the  graces  of 
the  Christian  character,  was  the  only  limit 
to  their  usefulness  ; and  they  have  often 
wondered  and  grieved  that  any  in  the  dif- 
ferent evangelical  denominations  could  be 
found  to  “ bite  and  devour  one  another  ” 
in  bitter  controversy,  while  such  inviting 
occasions  for  the  blessed  work  of  doing 
each  other  good,  were  mutually  and  abun- 
dantly spread  before  them. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


89 


CHAPTER  XVL 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  MADE  THE 
CORRUPTION  OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES  IMPOS- 
SIBLE? 

Tradition  a very  imperfect  medium  of  information ; — 
writing  much  better.  Difficulty  of  settling  the  text  of  the 
ancient  classics.  The  religious  reverence  of  Christians  has 
always  led  them  to  watch  the  sacred  writings  with  great 
care,  — still,  some  variations  have  crept  into  them:  Con- 
troversies and  divisions  in  the  Primitive  church  have  effectu- 
ally prevented  any  essential  corruption  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. But  our  modern  divisions  furnish  a perfect  safeguard. 

Though  writing  is  infinitely  preferable  to 
tradition  as  a medium  of  conveying  im- 
portant truths  to  distant  ages;  still,  even 
manuscripts  required  to  be  guarded  with 
great  care,  lest  inadvertantly,  or  through 
design,  they  should  become  corrupt. 

The  slow  and  expensive  process  of. 
copying  necessarily  made  books  rare,  and 
in  this  way,  also,  increased  their  liability 
to  corruption.  Hence,  the  difficulty  of 

I 


90 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


settling  the  text  of  the  Greek  and  Ro- 
man classics,  and  the  voluminous  criticisms 
that  their  emendation  has  called  forth. 
The  art  of  printing  has,  indeed,  rendered 
it  much  more  difficult  to  corrupt  an  au- 
thor, still,  every  critical  student  knows  that 
even  now  it  is  not  impossible  ; and,  that 
works  which  have  been  repeatedly  pub- 
lished in  the  course  of  a century  or  two, 
are  very  apt  to  vary  ; and  that  to  secure 
correctness  in  such  a republication,  it  is 
best  to  recur  to  a copy  of  an  early  edi- 
tion. 

These  remarks  must,  however,  be  great- 
ly modified,  when  applied  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures.  The  religious  veneration  with 
which  these  were  regarded  from  the  be- 
ginning, would  produce  a continual  watch- 
fulness to  preserve  their  integrity.  And, 
yet,  had  there  been  no  controversies  among 
the  early  Christians,  it  may  be  doubted 
whether  we  could  have  had  as  strong  evi- 
dence as  we  now  possess  of  the  purity  of 
the  sacred  text.  The  different  divisions  of 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


91 


the  orthodox,  as  well  as  the  heretical  sects, 
all  acted  as  so  many  sentinels  over  God’s 
word.  It  thus  became  well  nigh  impossi- 
ble, and,  indeed,  in  any  important  matter, 
altogether  impossible  to  effect  a corruption, 
without  calling  forth  such  a note  of  alarm 
as  would  ensure  detection  and  defeat. 

But,  must  it  not  be  seen  and  ackno\^■l- 
edged,  that  in  denominational  divisions,  as 
now  existing,  we  have  a still  better,  or 
rather  a perfect  safeguard  at  all  points 
for  our  common  standard  of  faith  and 
practice,  the  inspired  writings  ?— so  per- 
fect. that  even  an  attempt  to  corrupt  tho 
sacred  text  in  one  jot  or  tittle  has  never, 
in  a single  instance,  escaped  “unwhipped 
of  justice.” 


92 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  INCREASED 
THE  NUMBER  OF  CONVERTED  SOULS  ? 

The  church  united,  if  perfectly  holy,  the  most  efficient 
instrument  for  the  world’s  conversion.  But  a vast,  united, 
unholy  church  is  powerful  chiefly  for  evil.  Division  in- 
creases efficiency  in  the  work  of  Christ,  by  rendering  each 
sect  more  wise  to  discern  occasions  and  means  of  doing 
good,  and  active  and  enterprising  in  improving  them. 

A UNITED  and  perfectly  holy  church 
would  be  the  most  efficient  instrument  for 
the  world’s  conversion.  No  organization 
could  be  so  wise,  none  so  strong  to  war 
against  the  kingdom  of  darkness,  and 
extend  the  peaceful  triumphs  of  the  Re- 
deemer. No  Christian  doubts  this;  and 
every  enlightened  Christian  prays  for  the 
church’s  growth  in  grace,  not  merely  for 
her  own  sake,  but  to  fit  her  for  those  glo- 
rious victories  over  the  world,  which  only 
an  eminently  pure  church  can  achieve. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


93 


But  the  question  with  which  we  are  now 
concerned  is  not,  — whether  the  church, 
one  and  perfectly  holy,  or  the  church  as 
now  divided,  would  do  most  for  the  salva- 
tion of  men?  — but  it  is,  whether  the 
church  in  the  latter  state  has  not  really 
been  more  instrumental  in  converting 
souls,  than  she  would  have  been,  if  united, 
and  with  all  her  unholy  hindrances  cling- 
ing to  her  ? e must  answer  this  ques- 
tion in- the  affirmative.  We  cannot  shut 
out  this  conviction,  when  we  consider  whatj 
denominational  division  has  done  to  pro- 
mote the  more  wide  diffiision  of  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel,  to  raise  up  faith- 
ful ministers,  to  advance  Christian  educa- 
tion, and,  in  general,  to  accomplish  so 
much  positive  good,  as  well  as  to  prevent 
so  much  of  that  evil  which  could  not  but 
have  resulted  from  one  undivided,  power- 
ful, corrupt  body.  And,  especially  must 
we  believe  this  when  we  consider  that 
the  general  tendency  of  denominational 
action  is,  as  we  think  we  have  shewn. 


94 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


f towards  increasing  light  and  purity ; while, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  whole  testimony 
of  history  proves  that  the  course  of  a 
great,  united,  all-powerful  church,  unin- 
fluenced by  denominational  divisions,  has, 
vdth  rare  intervals,  been  downward,  down- 
ward, and  that  with  increasing  strides, 
into  depths  of  thicker  gloom  and  corrup- 
tion. 

There  is  another  view  of  this  subject 
which,  we  think,  must  commend  itself  to 
every  reflecting,  candid  mind.  It  has 
been  occasionally  hinted  at,  under  former 
heads  of  our  discussion,  but  deserves,  we 
think,  a more  distinct  notice.  There  are 
certain  ways  and  means  of  most  success- 
fully winning  the  attention,  and  influenc- 
ing the  conduct  of  others,  which  common 
sense,  interest,  and  experience  all  teach 
men  to  employ  in  secular  affairs.  These 
ways  and  means  must  of  course  vary, 
just  because  times  and  circumstances  vary. 
What  may  be  wise  and  useful  now,  may 
be  very  unwise  and  worse  than  useless 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


95 


on  some  other  occasions.  He  who  de- 
spises or  neglects  this  adaptation  of  means 
to  the  end,  can  scarcely  fail  to  draw 
down  defeat  upon  even  his  best  meant 
endeavors.  So  it  is  ever  in  the  concerns 
of  this  life. 

But,  do  not  these  remarks  hold  true 
also  of  Christ’s  cause  ? Let  us  see  what 
light  they  throw  upon  it.  Open  the  pages 
of  history; — there  is  a vast  ecclesiastical 
body,  wealthy,  powerful, — extending  its 
arms  over  the  whole  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land.  It  has  become  too  wise  to 
learn,  though  far  behind  the  age;  and  too 
unwieldly  to  accommodate  itself  to  the 
changes  which  have  passed  over  every 
thing  else  about  it.  In  the  pride  of  its 
strength,  it  would,  indeed,  rather  break 
men  to  its  sway,  than  condescend  to  win 
them  to  its  bosom.  It  has,  therefore, 
crowds  of  selfkh,  servile  adherents;  but 
it  provokes  many  into  honest,  determined 
resistance.  As  a church,  its  influence  has 
long  been  on  the  wane;  it  serves  for  little 


96 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


else  than  a ladder  to  ambition,  and  a 
retreat  for  the  superstitious.  It  has  abun- 
dance of  “ the  form,”  but  scarcely  any 
of  “the  power  of  godliness,”  No  wonder 
that  ignorance  and  depravity  increase 
among  the  people  at  home,  and  that  no 
messenger  of  salvation  is  sent  abroad. — 
Let  such  a body  alone,  and  it  becomes 
not  merely  useless,  but  a mountain  obsta- 
cle in  the  way  of  Christ’s  cause. 

But  Providence  does  not  let  it  alone. — 
He  comes  down,  as  of  old,  and  confounds 
the  language  of  babel  builders,  and  thus 
scatters  them  abroad.  In  his  wisdom  and 
goodness  he  raises  up  and  combines,  in 
various  forms,  the  elements  of  a correc- 
tive influence.  Different  denominations 
start  into  being,  suited  to  the  condition 
and  wants  of  the  people,  full  of  enterprise 
and  activity,  quick  to  discern  advantages, 
and  ready  to  improve  them.  The  pro- 
gress of  decline  is  thus  arrested.  New 
life  is  infused  into  the  whole  mass.  And 
thus,  multitudes  of  precious  immortal  souls 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


97 


are  converted  to  Christ,  who,  without 
this  merciful  dispensation  of  Providence 
towards  the  church,  would  have  perished 
in  their  sins. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  PROMOTED 
THE  SOCIAL  AND  POLITICAL  BENEFITS  OF 
CHRISTIANITY  ? 

Where  the  gospel  does  not  Gonvert  the  soul,  it  yet  makes 
better  husbands,  wives,  parents,  children,  and  members  of 
society.  These  moral  effects  good  in  themselves,  and  sub- 
sidiary, also,  to  spiritual  blessings.  The  externals  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  attractive  to  different  classes  of  worldly 
persons.  Their  support  thus  engaged  for  Christianity, — 
its  moral  influence,  in  this  way,  more  widely  diffused. 

The  grand  object  of  the  gospel  is  to 
save  men’s  souls.  But  it  confers  many 
other,  though  inferior  blessings,  upon  indi- 
viduals and  society.  The  moral  power 


98 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


of  the  gospel  is  always  far  more  widely 
felt  than  its  spiritual  influences.  For  one 
soul  sanctified  and  saved  by  it,  scores 
are  made  better  fathers  and  mothers,  bet- 
ter members  of  the  family,  better  citizens. 

These  lower  blessings  are  in  themselves 
precious,  and  they  are  worthy  of  cultiva- 
tion, especially  under  such  a government 
as  ours,  where  free  institutions  must  ever 
mainly  rest  upon  the  moral  effects  of  the 
gospel.  We  acknowledge,  indeed,  that 
they  are  to  be  valued  also,  and  chiefly, 
as  subsidiary  to  those  higher  and  ever- 
lasting mercies  which  Christianity  brings 
to  men.  The  moral  influences  of  the 
gospel  prepare  the  way  for  its  spiritual 
influences  upon  the  individual  and  the 
community  generally.  We  cannot  but 
cherish  a better  hope  for  those  who  under 
the  ministrations  of  Christianity  have  begun 
to  “break  off  their  sins  by  righteousness,” 
— to  cultivate  a higher  tone  of  moral 
character.  The  promises  of  God  and  all 
the  experience  of  the  Christian  encourage 
to  such  a hope. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


99 


But  is  it  not  the  fact,  that,  when  it  is 
proposed  to  get  up  a church  in  a neigh- 
borhood, or  among  any  portion  of  the 
community,  the  social  and  political  influ- 
ences of  the  gospel  are  the  benefits  which 
are,  usually,  first  thought  of  by  the  multi- 
tude, and  most  incline  their  hearts  to 
favor  the  scheme  ? Hence,  they  do  not 
inquire  so  much  into  the  doctrines  about 
to  be  brought  among  them  by  the  proposed 
church,  as  into  its  government  and  mode 
of  worship  — the  aspect  it  presents,  its 
external  appearance;  and,  if  these  please, 
they  will  give  it  their  support. 

Hence,  as  a church  is  more  or  less 
aristocratic,  or  democratic  in  its  organiza- 
tion, or  plain,  or  stately  in  its  ceremonial, 
will  it  take  with  different  individuals  and 
different  communities.  What  may  find 
no  acceptance  with  one  class  of  mind, 
or  in  one  neighborhood,  will  be  received 
with  high  favor  by  others,  or  in  other 
places.  Here,  for  example,  a Methodist 
church  may  be  got  up;  there  nothing  but 
a Presbyterian  church  will  do;  in  a third 


100 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


the  ecclesiastical  government  of  the  Bap- 
tists will  find  favor;  and  the  fourth  must 
have  an  Episcopal  church.  One  or  another 
has  in  this  way  been  permitted  to  enter 
with  its  moral  power,  to  enlighten,  purify, 
and  elevate,  where  all  others  would  be 
excluded.  It  is  thus  denominational  divis- 
ion has  tended  to  diffuse  more  widely 
the  social  and  political  benefits  of  the  gos- 
pel. And  let  it  be  added,  that  only 
a Christianity  so  varied  in  its  aspects  and 
applications,  so  free,  active — enterprising, 
could  meet  the  exigencies  of  our  condi- 
tion as  a people,  grow  with  our  growth, 
spread  with  our  extension,  and  throw  its 
salutary  and  saving  influences  about  us 
at  every  step.  An  established  church 
would  have  ruined  us,  or  rather  left  us 
to  ruin  ourselves.  In  its  stiff,  unbending 
uniformity  it  could  have  touched  us  at 
but  few  points;  and  it  would  have  been 
impossible  for  its  unwieldliness  to  keep 
pace  with  our  national  career,  and  prove 
a match  for  the  rapidly  developing  and 
ever  varying  powers  of  corruption. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


101 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

HAS  NOT  DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  PRODUCED 
AMONG  CHRISTIANS  MORE  DISCRIMINATING 
VIEWS  OF  RELIGION,  A FIRMER  GRASP  OF  ITS 
TRUTHS,  A HIGHER  DEGREE  OF  PERSONAL  HOLI- 
NESS, AND  A LARGER  MEASURE  OF  CHARITY 
TOWARDS  EACH  OTHER  ? 

Why  truth  is  chiefly  to  be  valued.  The  best  men  have 
been  in  some  respects  ignorant,  and  in  others  mistaken, — 
hence,  some  truths  are  essential  and  others  of  inferior  im- 
portance:— to  deny  this  is  to  lay  the  foundation  for  bigotry, 
exclusivness,  etc.  Denominational  division  has  shewn  that 
real  piety  may  exist  and  flourish  under  many  different 
modes  of  ecclesiastical  government,  worship,  etc.,  and  thus 
led  to  deeper  and  clearer  views  of  truth,  wiser  and  holier 
efforts,  and  a broader  charity. 

Divine  truth  is  precious  principally  because 
it  is  the  means  of  sanctifying  and  saving 
the  soul.  “ Sanctify  them  through  thy 
truth;  thy  word  is  truth.”  Hence,  all 
the  truths  of  revelation  should  be  highly 
prized,  and  earnestly  contended  for.  — 

K 


102 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Still,  as  “ there  is  not  a just  man  on  earth, 
that  doeth  good,  and  sinneth  not,  ” so  none 
can  claim  exemption  from  error.  There 
are  truths  of  God  in  respect  to  which 
some  of  the  best  men  have  been  mistaken; 
and,  certainly  there  are  others  of  which 
such  men  have  been  ignorant. 

It  follows,  therefore,  that  there  must  be 
in  religion  a difference  between  truths,  as 
essential  and  non-essential.  And  yet  some 
have  denied  this.  The  tendency  of  such 
a view  in  him  who  entertains  it,  towards 
impairing  his  personal  holiness  by  fixing 
his  mind  as  much,  to  say  the  least,  upon 
“ the  mint,  the  anise,  and  the  cummin,  ” 
as  upon  “judgment,  mercy,  and  faith,” 
is  too  obvious  to  need  argument.  And 
equally  obvious  is  its  tendency  to  render 
him  uncharitable,  exclusive,  and  intoler- 
ant towards  all  who  differ  from  him, 
however  slightly. 

Here,  we  believe,  that  denominational 
division  has  been  overruled  and  sanctified 
under  the  good  providence  and  Spirit  of 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


103 


God  to  the  production  of  the  happiest 
results.  It  has  demonstrated  by  plain  and 
palpable  facts,  meeting  us  every  day  in 
the  most  impressive  forms,  the  truth  and 
importance  of  the  teaching  of  the  apos- 
tle, that  “the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat 
and  drink,  but  righteousness  and  peace,; 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.”  The  Chris- 
tian sees  multitudes  all  around  him  widely 
differing  from  him  in  their  modes  of  church 
government  and  worship,  and  in  many 
speculative  opinions,  who  yet  give  scrip- 
tural evidence  of  having  “received  Christ 
Jesus,  the  Lord,  and  of  walking  in  him.” 
He  can  neither  shut  his  eyes,  nor  close 
his  heart  against  these  delightful  facts. 
He  does  not  wish  so  to  do.  He  rejoices 
in  them.  For  while  they  exceedingly 
strengthen  his  attachment  to  all  truth, 
they  lead  him  to  see  more  clearly,  and 
to  prize  more  highly  those  great  truths 
which  constitute  “the  common  salvation.” 
The  influence  of  such  views  upon  his  per- 
sonal holiness,  and  upon  the  charitable 


104 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


feelings  of  his  heart  towards  others,  cannot 
but  be  great.  They  give  a wis^  direction 
and  a more  intense  fervency  to  all  his 
desires  and  efforts.  He  thus  becomes  a 
holier  man,  and  better  prepared  to  unite 
in  every  good  word  and  work  with  all 
who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  the 
souls  of  their  fellow  men. 

From  the  views  advanced  in  this  and 
the  previous  chapters  we  may  deduce 
the  following  inferences  : — 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


105 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  SUDDEN  AMALGAMATION  OF  ALL  DENOMINA- 
TIONS WOULD  BE  PRODUCTIVE  OF  GREAT  EVILS. 

Much  of  the  good  of  separate  action  would  be  lost — 
many  and  sad  evils  would  arise — ignorance,  error,  pride, 
deadness  to  spiritual  things,  the  love  of  domination,  worldly 
ascendancy,  etc. 

That  zeal  for  denominational  purity,  pros- 
perty,  and  extension,  which  now  is  so 
full  of  blessing  to  the  body  itself,  and 
diffuses  so  many  blessings  over  other 
denominations  and  the  world  generally, 
would  at  once  be  extinguished.  And 
thus  we  should  be  deprived  of  all  those 
rich  and  varied  benefits  that  now  grow 
out  of  separate  action. 

But  this  is  not  all;  the  ill  consequences 
of  such  amalgamation  would  not  be  merely 
negative.  A frightful  catalogue  of  posi- 
tive evils,  we  have  every  reason  to  fear, 
would  come  in  like  a flood  upon  us.  To 


106 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


say  nothing  of  those  discontents  and  heart- 
burnings which  such  a vast,  unholy  union 
would  contain  within  itself,  — (for  multi- 
tudes could  not  be  reconciled  to  the  loss 
of  those  denominational  peculiarities  and 
advantages  which  they  once  possessed,)  — 
it  would  quickly,  in  view  of  its  own  mag- 
nitude and  strength,  be  puffed  up  with 
pride,  and  arrogance,  and  the  love  of 
domination.  Soon  would  such  a church 
have  its  foot  upon  the  neck  of  all  other 
powers.  A Gregory  and  a Henry,  an 
Innocent  and  a John,  would  be  speedily 
re-enacted.  Bad  men  would  be  univer- 
sally in  the  ascendant,  piety  decline,  and 
the  light  of  truth  fade  away;  till  all  the 
corruption  that  is  in  the  world,  through 
lust,  would  enter  in;  and,  thus,  the  world 
instead  of  being  subdued  to  Christ,  would 
swallow  up  his  Church. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


107 


CHAPTER  XXT. 

A WISE  AND  SAFE  WAY  OF  PROMOTING  A RE- 
UNION OF  THE  VISIBLE  CHURCH  IS  — TO  LABOR, 
ABOVE  ALL  THINGS.  FOR  THE  ADVANCEMENT 
OF  SCRIPTURAL  TRUTH,  SPIRITUAL  RELIGION, 
AND  PRACTICAL  PIETY. 

It  requires  great  holiness,  wisely  and  beneficially  to 
wield  great  power.  He  is  the  best  friend  of  union,  who 
does  most  for  the  growth  of  holiness. 

He  must,  we  think,  have  studied  ecclesias- 
tical history  to  little  purpose,  and  observed 
still  less  of  the  actual  state  of  the  vari- 
ous denominations,  who  can  close  his  eyes 
to  the  fact  that,  the  Christian  body  is  not 
yet  holy  enough  to  be  trusted  with  the 
vast  powers  of  a united  church.  It  has 
neither  wisdom  nor  benevolence  sufficient 
to  wield  such  an  influence  for  its  own  good, 
or  that  of  the  world.  And  a very  great 
revival  of  pure  religion  must  take  place 
among  all  denominations  before  they  are 


108 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


prepared  unitedly  to  bring  “glory  to  God 
in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good 
will  toward  men!”  He,  therefore,  who 
does  most  by  his  prayers,  his  liberality, 
his  energetic  action,  and  above  all,  by 
an  exemplary,  Christian  walk  to  advance 
such  a revival,  is  laboring  most  safely, 
and  efficiently  for  a blessed  re-union  of 
the  church. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


109 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISION  AFFORDS  A PECULIAR 
AND  VERY  STRONG  EVIDENCE  FOR  CHRIS- 
TIANITY. 

Careless  and  bad  men  make  the  division  of  Christians  a 
pretext  for  rejecting,  or  at  least  neglecting  religion  ; — the 
serious  inquirer  never.  But,  had  not  Christianity  been  true 
the  division  of  its  friends  would  have,  long  since,  exposed 
and  ruined  it.  A false  religion  could  not  have  stood  sueh 
a trial. 

Nothing  is  more  common  than  to  hear 
some  men  excuse  themselves  for  neglecting 
Christianity,  and  others  for  rejecting  it 
altogether,  on  the  ground  that  there  are 
so  many  denominations  all  differing  fi'om 
each  other.  From  this  the  one  infers 
that  there  is  no  truth  in  any  of  them, 
and  the  other  that  if  there  is  truth  it 
is  impossible  to  find  it,  and,  therefore,  it 
is  useless  to  trouble  themselves  about  it. 
But  such  objections  cannot  stand  a 


110 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


moment’s  honest  examination.  It  is  quite 
easy  to  discern  that  they  have  no  force 
in  themselves,  but  derive  their  whole 
strength  from  the  wilful  perverseness  of 
the  heart  that  cherishes  them,  and  its 
real  indifference  to  the  truth.  Hence, 
they  seldom  do  much  injury  to  the  really 
serious  inquirer.  By  such  a man,  religion 
will  always  be  felt  to  be  so  much  a 
matter  of  personal  concern,  that  every 
other  question  will  be  seen  by  him  to  be 
a grand  impertinence.  His  first  and  all 
absorbing  inquiry  will  be  “what  must  I 
do  to  be  saved?”  Till  he  find  satisfac- 
tion here,  he  will  have  neither  mind  nor 
heart  to  busy  himself  about  any  other 
matter. 

But,  do  not  denominational  divisions, 
so  far  from  being  a valid  argument 
against  Christianity,  afford  one  of  the 
strongest  evidences  in  its  favor  ? It  is  a 
homely  proverb,  but  full  of  truth — “when 
rogues  fall  out,  honest  men  are  likely  to 
get  their  dues.”  Good  men  can  afford  to 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Ill 


differ  ; bad  men  never:  the  first  have 
nothing  to  fear,  either  from  the  mistakes 
of  friends,  or  from  open  enemies ; the  last 
know  too  much  of  each  other  not  to 
dread  mutual  exposure.  Hence,  it  has 
been  well  argued  that  the  treachery  of 
Judas  must  have  been  fatal  to  Christ’s 
cause  had  he  not  been  what  he  professed  to 
be.  But  neither  the  infirmities  of  honest 
disciples,  nor  the  wickedness  of  the  trai- 
tor could  really  injure  Christianity,  just 
because  it  is  true. 

So,  also,  we  argue  from  denominational 
divisions.  What  a proof  of  the  divine 
origin  of  Christianity  that  the  very  divi- 
sions of  its  friends,  instead  of  injuring  it, 
should  have  been  so  wonderfully  overruled 
for  its  advancement ! A false  religion 
would  long  since,  under  circumstances,  du 
have  been  exposed  and  destroyed. — 
Nothing  but  the  truth  could  have  passed 
through  so  fiery  an  ordeal. 


112 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


CHAPTER  XXIll. 

DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISIONS  FURNISH  MANY  REA- 
SONS FOR  PATIENCE,  CONTENTMENT,  AND 
THANKFULNESS. 

Complaints  of  worldly  men  about  sectarianism,  — Chris- 
tians too  much  led  away  by  them.  The  divisions  of  the 
visible  church  a part  of  God’s  providential  dispensations 
towards  it,  — and,  therefore,  worthy  to  be  studied,  and 
full  of  improvement. 

The  world  is  full  of  complaints  about 
the  evils  of  divisions  among  Christians. — 
It  has  no  expression  of  contempt  and 
bitterness  which  it  considers  too  strong 
to  apply  to  sectarianism.  Even  Christians 
themselves  have  been  too  much  led  a^ay 
by  this  popular  outcry;  they  have  seen 
little  else  but  causes  of  trouble  and  vexa- 
tion in  their  mutual  differences.  But,  is 
this  wise  ? We  do  not  mean,  indeed,  to 
be  the  apologist  of  division.  But,  is  it 
wise  to  take  so  limited  a view  of  so 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


113 


extensive  a subject?  By  looking  only  at 
its  evils  do  not  Christians  weaken  their 
own  hands,  and  encourage  the  wicked? 

There  is  a bright  side,  also,  to  this 
cloud  on  which  we  do  well  to  look.  Is 
not  the  permission  of  these  divisions  a 
part  of  God’s  providential  dealings  with 
his  church  ? No  Christian  will  deny  this. 
It  is,  then,  wmrthy  of  our  study.  And,  if 
candidly  and  devoutly  contemplated,  while 
we  shall  doubtless  find  much  in  it  to 
cause  us  to  take  shame  and  confusion  of 
face  to  ourselves,  we  shall  see,  also,  in 
addition  to  those  reasons  which  we  have 
in  the  foregoing  essay  so  imperfectly 
exhibited,  many  other  grounds  of  patience, 
contentment,  and  thankfulness  before  Him 
who  often  extracts  the  most  shining  bene- 
fits from  his  darkest  dispensations. 

The  enlightened  Christian  can  scarcely 
fail  to  discern,  in  view  of  this  whole  sub- 
ject, that  of  all  those  sects  which  retain 
the  great  truths  of  the  gospel,  each  has 
under  providence,  its  special  mission,  and 


114 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


fills  a place  of  usefulness  that  none  other 
is  so  well  fitted  to  occupy.  And,  after 
all  have  done  their  uttermost  in  the  great 
work  of  evangelizing  the  world,  there  will 
still  be — alas,  how  much ! — room  unoccu- 
pied and  a vast  labor  to  be  performed. — 
Instead,  therefore,  of  wishing  to  blot  out 
any  one  of  these  denominations,  he  rejoices 
in  its  prosperity,  and  his  heart’s  desire  and 
prayer  to  God  is,  that  it  may  be  yet  more 
abundantly  blessed  to  the  conversion  and 
salvation  of  men. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


115 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

DENOMINATIONAL  DIVISIONS  FURNISH  MUCH 
WHICH  OUGHT  TO  FILL  THE  HEARTS  OF  CHRIS- 
TIANS WITH  MUTUAL  CHARITY. 

The  Christian’s  reflections  upon  his  denominational  posi- 
tion. The  results  of  his  thoughts  upon  his  own  heart, 
and  in  respect  to  others. 

We  suppose  that  many  a pious  Episco- 
palian has  reasoned  thus  within  himself, 
‘‘I  find  myself,  under  Providence,  in  the 
Episcopal  church.  I am  satisfied,  after 

careful  examination  of  her  doctrinal  stan- 

* 

dards,  in  the  light  of  God’s  word,  that  she 
is  sound  in  the  faith.  I see,  also,  many 
other  religious  denominations  around  me, 
who  hold  fast  to  the  same  great  essential 
truths.  Here,  then,  is  a broad  ground 
for  the  exercise  of  charity  towards  each 
other,  and  for  united  action,  so  far  as  is 
consistent  with  our  several  positions,  to 
advance,  more  efficiently,  the  cause  of 


116 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


our  common  Lord  and  the  salvation  of 
our  fellow  men. 

There  are,  indeed,  certain  peculiarities 
in  my  church,  by  which  we  are  kept, 
as  a denomination,  distinct  from  other 
ecclesiastical  bodies.  But  my  edification 
and  usefulness  are  probably  as  great  where 
I am  as  they  would  be,  in  the  present 
imperfect  state  of  things,  any  where  else, 
and  perhaps  greater.  I can  see  no  rea- 
son, then,  why  I should  quit  the  post  in 
which  Providence  has  been  pleased  to 
place  me.  And  thus,  also,  I doubt  not, 
but  that  others  of  other  names  are  equally 
jiersuaded  in  their  own  minds.  It  would 
be  uncharitable  in  me  to  think  otherwise 
of  them.” 

Now,  what  is  to  hinder  the  pious 
Presbyterian,  Methodist,  or  Baptist  from 
reasoning  in  the  same  way  ? And,  in 
fact,  do  not  Christians,  in  general,  take 
just  this  view  of  their  position  f — and 
discover,  too,  in  their  denominational  dif- 
ferences, as  well  as  in  their  denominational 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


117 


agreements  much  room  for  the  exercise  of 
a genuine  scriptural  charity. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE  PRESENT  DENOMINATIONAL  STATE  OF  THE 
CHURCH  SUGGESTS  MUCH  TO  ENCOURAGE  US 
FOR  CHRIST’S  CAUSE. 

The  Milleniiiarn, — various  opinions  upon  it.  The  Bible 
clearly  reveals  a “latter-day  glory;” — Christians  universally 
expect  it; — the  influence  of  this  expectation  to  arouse  to 
effort,  etc.  An  erroneous  view.  Dark  and  corrupt  state 
of  the  church  before  the  Reformation.  The  Crusades. 
Results  of  denominational  division,  increase  of  light,  piety, 
etc.  Encouragement. 

It  is  the  general  belief  of  Christians  that 
a day  is  coming  when  truth  and  right- 
eousness will  prevail  on  the  earth  This 
“latter-day  glory”  of  the  church  was  des- 
ignated, in  very  early  times,  the  Millen- 
nium. With  the  great  variety  of  opinions 


118 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


advanced  in  former  ages,  or  now  entertained 
on  the  subject  of  this  millennial  period, 
we  have  nothing  here  to  do;  our  concern 
is  simply  with  the  fact  that  such  a hap- 
py day  is  generally  and  confidently  looked 
forward  to  on  the  ground  of  many  prophetic 
intimations  conveyed  in  clear,  and  very 
glowing  terms. 

Whoever  carefully  examines  the  re- 
ports of  the  various  societies  for  the  spread 
of  the  gospel,  the  speeches  delivered  at 
their  meetings,  the  sermons  preached  on 
their  behalf,  or  the  communications  of 
their  missionaries  or  other  laborers,  can- 
not fail  to  see  that  this  general  expecta- 
tion of  the  final  triumph  of  true  religion 
exerts  a powerful  influence  in  stimulating 
the  pious  heart  to  action.  Christians 
pray,  and  give,  and  exert  themselves,  and 
make  sacrifices  just  because  they  confi- 
dently believe  that  success  will  crown  their 
efforts,  that  the  glorious  day  will  come 
when  “ the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea.” 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


119 


But,  is  it  not  a fact,  also,  that  with 
this  almost  universal  expectation  of  a Mil- 
lennial period,  there  is  connected  a very 
wide  spread  impression  that  all  denomi- 
national differences  must  first  be  done 
away,  and  that  till  this  be  brought  about, 
very  little,  comparatively,  can  be  accom- 
plished towards  the  anticipated  triumph  ? 

Concerning  the  ways  and  means  by 
which  such  an  amalgamation  is  to  be 
effected,  there  are  very  indefinite  and  dis- 
cordant opinions.  Each  denominatioin, 
indeed,  or  rather  many  in  each  denomi- 
nation are  apt  to  suppose  that  all  other 
denominations  are,  some  how  or  other, 
finally  to  be  brought  into  their  church,  and 
that  their’s  will  thus  be  the  honored  body 
that  is  to  be  mainly  instrumental  in 
bringing  in  “the  latter-day  glory;”  and 
that  during  this  holy,  happy  period,  till 
the  close  of  the  gospel  dispensation,  and 
the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  to  judg- 
ment, they  will  be  the  sole  church  on  earth. 
But  however  various  the  views  of  Christians 


120 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


in  respect  to  the  mode  in  which  denomina- 
tional differences  are  to  be  done  away, 
very  many  expect  that  it  will  be  brought  to 
pass,  and  their  hopes,  of  the  approach  of 
the  Millennium  rise  or  fall  just  in  propor- 
tion as  they  think  they  see  evidence  of 
such  a re-union. 

And  yet,  if  the  views  expressed  in  the 
foregoing  inquiry,  are  generally  true,  so  far 
from  making  the  coming  of  the  Millennium 
dependant  upon  the  amalgamation  of  all 
the  churches,  and  so  far  from  being  cast 
down  in  view  of  present  denominational 
differences,  may  we  not  see  in  these  very 
differences  strong  grounds  of  encourage- 
ment for  Christ’s  cause  ? 

Look  backward  through  the  ages,  from 
the  time  at  which  the  Reformation  com- 
menced, over  the  state  of  European  Chris- 
tendom, when  denominational  differences 
were  scarcely  known,  and  not  at  all  tole- 
rated ; when  one  vast  ecclesiastical  body 
possessed  all  power,  what  darkness,  dead- 
ness, cruel  despotism,  and  hideous  corrup- 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


121 


tion  universally  prevailed.  Christianity,  so 
far  from  extending  its  borders,  was  at 
times  well  nigh  swallowed  up.  Mahom- 
medanism  established  itself  in  Sicily,  Spain, 
and  the  South  of  France,  overran  West- 
ern Asia,  and  burst  in  like  a flood  upon 
the  Eastern  parts  of  Europe.  Men’s  hearts 
were  every  where  failing  them  for  fear. 
These  apprehensions,  in  part,  gave  rise 
to  the  Crusades  which,  without  the  least 
thought  or  desire  of  such  a result  by  their 
chief  authors  and  promoters,  contributed 
indirectly,  but  powerfully,  to  elevate  the 
masses  of  the  people,  and  enable  them 
to  break  through  those  shackles  of  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  tyranny  in  which  they 
had  been  so  long  held.  A way  was 
thus  prepared  for  the  Reformation. 

Now  look  forward  from  this  era  over  the 
three  hundred  years  that  have  since  elaps- 
ed, during  which  liberty  of  conscience  has 
been  widely  enjoyed,  and  denominational 
differences  have  sprung  up  and  covered  a 
large  part  of  Christendom.  What  a con- 


122 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


trast  does  this  period  afford  with  the 
centuries  which  went  before ! How  widely 
has  scriptural  knowledge  been  spread. — 
And,  in  consequence  of  this,  how  differ- 
ent the  state  of  the  people  generally — 
enlightened,  elevated,  free  in  comparison 
with  what  they  once  were.  What  means 
of  diffusing  the  gospel,  at  home  and 
abroad,  have  been  devised  and  success- 
fully put  in  operation.  There  is  hardly 
a dark  place,  on  the  earth,  to  which  the 
zeal  of  Christians  has  not  carried  them. 
Almost  everywhere  has  Christian  enter- 
prise planted  instrumentalities  for  the 
propagation  of  the  gospel,  which  require 
only  one  wide  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
to  ensure  the  rapid  approach  of  “ the 
latter-day  glory.” 

Who,  then,  would  throw  back  this 
great  work,  and  place  the  church  where 
she  was  before  the  Reformation,  when  the 
influence  of  denominational  differences  was 
scarcely  felt,  when  gross  darkness  cov- 
ered the  people,  and  iniquity  abounded, 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


123 


and  true  religion  seemed  almost  to  have 
forsaken  the  earth  ? What  denomination 
is  now  so  enlightened,  so  holy,  that  it 
could  safely  receive  into  its  bosom  all 
other  denominations,  and  employ  the  vast 
amount  of  power  thus  accumulated  with- 
in it  for  its  own  highest  good  and  the 
best  interests  of  the  world  ? But  he 
who  expects  all  other  denominations  to 
come  into  his,  and  on  this  union  builds 
his  hope  of  the  millennium,  can  indulge 
such  an  expectation,  and  such  hopes 
only  on  the  ground  that  his  is  just  that 
enlightened,  holy  denomination,  for  which 
we  have  inquired.  Even  if  one  whole 
d enomination  could  flatter  themselves  into 
such  an  opinion  of  their  superiority,  how 
could  they  convince  others  in  the  face  of 
such  multiplied,  palpable,  and  painful  evi- 
dence to  the  contrary  ? We  must  close 
our  eyes  to  present  appearances  and  all 
history,  if  we  could  look  for  anything 
else  than  another  Anti-Christ  in  such  a 


union. 


124 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


But  if,  with  denominational  differences 
as  now  existing,  so  much  has  been  accom- 
plished in  so  short  a period,  what  bright 
hopes  may  we  not  cherish  for  the  future ! 
A great  work  has  certainly  been  done  ; 
a still  greater  preparation  is  in  progress, 
and  almost  every  thing  conspires  to  encour- 
age our  hearts  for  Christ’s  cause. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


125 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE  DIFFERENT  DENOMINATIONS  OF  CHRISTIANS 
OUGHT  TO  REJOICE  IN  EACH  OTHER’S  PROS- 
FERITY. 

Proper  measure  of  prosperity  — divine  favor,  holiness, 
conversion  of  souls.  Every  true  Christian  must  rejoice  in 
these  things  wherever  he  may  see  them.  The  prosperity 
of  any  one  denomination  will  dilFuse  itself  over  all  of  like 
spirit. 

The  true  prosperity  of  each  denomina- 
tion is — not  worldly  wealth,  power,  or 
numbers,  but — that  measure  of  divine  bles- 
sing bestowed  upon  their  labors  for  the 
conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  building  up 
of  Christians  in  their  most  holy  faith.  As 
without  the  former  none  can  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  ; so  in  proportion  to 
the  latter  may  we  expect  the  work  of 
the  Lord  to  advance.  A holy  people,  will 
ordinarily,  be  most  blessed  to  the  promotion 
of  Christ’s  cause.  Such  He  will  ever  de- 

M 


126 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


light  to  honor.  Ought  not,  then,  Christians 
to  rejoice  in  that  upon  which  their  common 
Lord  and  Savior  looks  with  approbation? 
Just  as  we  have  “the  spirit  of  Christ” 
will  our  hearts  be  glad  to  see  the  riches 
of  his  grace  magnified  in  “souls  renewed 
and  sins  forgiven,”  whatever  the  instru- 
mentality he  may  condescend  to  employ. 

But,  further,  it  is  impossible  for  any  one 
denomination  of  God’s  faithful  people  to 
prosper  without  all  others  of  the  same 
spirit  sharing  in  the  blessing.  Their  true 
interests  are  all  bound  up  together  ; so 
that  “ whether  one  member  suffer,  all  the 
members  suffer  with  it ; or  one  member 
be  honored,  all  the  members  rejoice  with 
it.”  Let  the  reviving  influences  of  God’s 
spirit  descend  upon  any  one  congregation, 
and,  in  consequence  of  this,  its  members  be- 
come more  engaged  in  “the  work  of  the 
Lord,”  and  those  who  have  hitherto  been 
thoughtless  and  unconcerned,  begin  to  in- 
quire— “what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved?” 
and  all  congregations  about  it,  of  what- 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


127 


ever  name,  who  regard  the  work  of  the 
Lord  as  they  ought,  and  faithfully  wait  upon 
Him,  cannot  fail,  in  due  season,  to  share 
in  the  blessing.  So  far  as  they  do  not, 
they  may  be  assured  that  the  fault  is  in 
themselves.  Let  not  “Ephraim  envy  Ju- 
dah, nor  Judah  vex  Ephraim,”  and  then 
all  will  rejoice  in  “the  common  salva- 
tion.” 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

DENOMINATIONAL  DIFFERENCES  MAY  BE  MAIN- 
TAINED WITHOUT  DIVISION. 

Division  always  wro^Jg.  Differeiiees  may  and  probably  ever 
will  e.xist  in  the  visible  church  ; — hence,  even  where  separa- 
tion is  expedient,  division  need  not  follow,  and  would  not 
were  Christians  as  holy  as  they  ought  to  be. 

Division  never  can  be  right  “Is  Christ 
divided  ?”  But  the  whole  company  of 
the  faithful  varying  so  much  in  attain- 


128 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


merits,  dispositions,  and  circumstances, 
never  can  be  brought  to  an  exact  agree- 
ment in  every  minor  matter.  It  is  not 
desirable  that  they  should.  A sound 
Christian  discretion  will  ever  call  for  more 
or  less  dilference.  But  it  is  equally  true 
that  such  differences  do  not  necessarily 
imply  division;  and  they  never  produce  it.* 
He  who  cannot  differ  with  his  brother 
without  being  divided  from  him,  may  be 
a Christian,  but,  certainly,  he  is  not  emi- 
nently such.  The  ability  to  differ,  if  not 
a necessary  evidence  of  grace,  is  one  of 
the  best  measures  of  our  growth  in  grace. 
Just  as  the  church  advances  toward  Mil- 


* Formalism,  Rationalism,  and  Evangelism  are  the  three 
great  influences,  which,  under  a countless  variety  of  phases, 
have  continually  struggled  for  mastery  in  the  Christian 
church.  The  two  former  are  divisive  in  their  very  nature, 
and  the  source  of  all  the  divisions  in  the  church;  the  last 
is  essentially  uniting,  and  affords  the  only  possible  basis  of 
a true  union. 

The  correctness  of  these  positions,  we  think,  will  abun- 
dantly appear  to  any  one  who  attentively  examines  the 
pages  of  ecclesiastical  history,  and  of  Christian  dogmatics, 
and  carefully  observes  the  characters  and  movements,  both 
of  friends  and  opposers  in  the  union  enterprise. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


129 


lennial  light  and  Millennial  holiness,  will 
Christians  find  it  an  easy  thing  to  differ 
without  being  divided. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE  DUTY  OF  CHRISTIANS  TO  MAKE  SPECIAL 
EFFORTS  FOR  THE  PROMOTION  OF  CHRISTIAN 
UNION. 

Special  efforts  to  promote  Christian  union  productive  of 
the  happiest  results  on  their  authors,  and  so  far  as  their 
influence  extends, — increase  knowledge,  charity,  efficiency, 
etc.  Signs  of  the  times: — a great  struggle  approaching; 
all  parties  fast  uniting  into  two  vast  conflicting  hosts  ; — 
necessity  of  Christian  union  to  meet  the  crisis, — this  neces- 
sity more  and  more  seen  and  felt,  hence,  the  special  move- 
ment towards  union  now  in  progress.  Despondency  of 
some, — Gaussen, — the  triumph  of  the  gospel  certain. 

We  have  said  in  a former  chapter  that 
he  who  labors  for  the  advancement  of 
scriptural  truth,  spiritual  religion,  and  praC'. 
tical  piety,  employs  one  of  the  most 


130 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


important  means  to  promote  Christian 
union.  But  he  who  does  this  is  not 
likely  to  leave  anything  else  undone  which 
tends  to  the  same  happy  result.  Hence, 
we  may  expect  to  find  the  most  earnest 
friends  of  union  among  the  most  spirit- 
ually minded  and  active  Christians  in  the 
various  evangelical  ranks.  They  will 
most  readily  see  and  feel  its  duty  and 
importance,  and  give  to  it  their  prayers 
and  best  energies 

Direct  efforts  to  promote  union,  whether 
by  public  meetings  of  Christians  of  differ- 
ent sects,  or  by  social  conference,  or  the 
jiulpit,  or  the  press,  will  throw  increas- 
ing light  on  the  character,  condition,  and 
relative  position  of  the  various  denomina- 
tions, shew  how  very  extensively  they 
are  agreed,  and  how  little  it  is,  after  all, 
which  separates  them.  Prejudices  will 
thus  be  removed,  the  rough  voice  of  con- 
troversy, where  it  cannot  be  entirely 
silenced,  will  be  softened  down  into  the 
kindly  accents  of  charity  pleading  for  the 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


131 


truth,  good  men  of  every  name  will  be 
brought  more  and  more  together,  and  see 
with  increasing  clearness  how  “good  and 
pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together 
in  unity!”  — good  both  for  their  own 
growth  in  grace  and  for  the  extension  of 
the  Redeemer’s  kingdom. 

But  there  is  another  view  of  this  sub- 
ject that  cannot  fail,  we  think,  in  these 
days,  to  impress  itself  with  increasing 
force  on  the  minds  of  intelligent  reflect- 
ing Christians  generally.  Is  there  not 
very  much  in  the  signs  of  the  times,  all 
indicating  the  approach  of  such  a strug- 
gle as  the  world  has  never  yet  witnessed  ? 
And  would  not  the  anticipations  of  God’s 
people  be  fearful  indeed,  were  it  not  for 
the  animating  language  of  prophecy  ? — 
A great  crisis  is  certainly  drawing  nigh. 
The  enemies  of  the  truth,  however  much 
they  may  differ  among  themselves,  are 
yet  becoming  sensible  that  in  their  grand 
purpose — opposition  to  Christ  — they  are 
one.  “We  will  not  have  this  man  to  reign 


132 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


over  US  ” is  the  language  of  all  their  move- 
ments. Mutual  sympathy  is  thus  drawing 
them  closer  to  each  other,  and  fast  com- 
bining them  in  one,  vast  array  against 
the  common  object  of  their  hostility. 

Instead,  therefore,  of  the  scattered  and 
desultory  warfare  generally  witnessed  here- 
tofore, there  will  soon  be  but  two  great 
conflicting  hosts  “gathered  to  the  battle 
of  that  great  day.”  On  the  one  hand  will 
be  mustered  Infidelity  under  its  various 
banners,  Rationalism  in  all  its  grades. 
Popery  from  the  full  grown  man  of  sin  to 
his  feeblest  stripling  relatives  in  the  differ- 
ent ranks  ^ Protestantism  — in  a word, 
every  form  of  Anti-Evangelical  error  and 
influence;  and,  on  the  other  all  the 
friends  of  “the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,” 
“the  sacramental  host  of  God’s  elect.”  — 
Terrible  as  this  contest  will  be,  and  doubt- 
ful as  the  result  may  appear  for  a time, 
yet  “the  triumphing  of  the  wicked  shall 
be  short.” 

The  hearts  of  some  good  men  have. 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


133 


indeed,  almost  failed  them  in  view  of 
this  anticipated  contest,  and  the  present 
divided  state  of  the  church.  “We  con- 
clude with  certainty,”  says  the  pious,  and 
very  able  Professor  Gaussen  of  Geneva, 
“ that  a great  struggle  approaches,  in  which 
the  Roman  army,  emboldened  by  our 
divisions,  will  throw  itself  upon  us.  It’s 
victory  will  be  easy ; it  will  enter  into 
our  camp  as  did  Caesar  into  that  of  Pom- 
pey,  after  the  discomfiture  of  Pharsalia; 
it  will  find  us  all  in  disorder,  and  soon 
have  trampled  us  under  its  feet.”  (58th 
Circular  of  the  Societe  Evangelique). — 
“Emboldened  by  our  divisions!'’’’  — if,  in- 
deed, the  Roman  army  and  its  infidel 
confederates  did  thus  find  us  in  the  great 
onset,  gloomy  as  these  anticipations  are, 
there  is  too  much  reason  to  fear  that 
they  would  be  fully  realized.  But  are 
there  not  many  cheering  evidences  that 
the  very  expectation  of  the  contest  will  do 
more  to  bring  the  people  of  God  together 
and  thus  prepare  them  for  it,  than  all 


134 


CHRISTIAN  union. 


their  past  trials  and  perils  True,  if 
found  divided  they  would  fall  an  easy 
prey  to  their  enemies;  — but  what  mean 
those  many  movements  towards  union  all 
over  the  Christian  world ! Do  they  not 
indicate  an  awakened  and  thoughtful  state, 
such  a growing  wisdom  and  charity  as 
must  ere  long  combine  all  the  friends  of 
truth,  wherever  found,  in  one  solid  phal- 
anx, instinct  with  an  energy  irresistible, 
not  only  for  defence,  but  to  spread  dismay 
and  rout  through  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  ? 
Yes,  it  is  by  this  union,  under  a favoring 
Providence,  and  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  that  the  peaceful  triumphs  of  the 
Redeemer’s  kingdom  are  to  be  secured. 

Let  then  special  efforts  for  Christian 
[Jnion  be  multiplied  and  extended,  — as 
they  assuredly  will, — and  who  cannot  see 
in  them  the  most  efficient  means,  and 
the  strongest  guarantee  of  the  final  and 
divinely  promised  victory  when  there  shall 
be  heard  “great  voices  in  heaven,  saying, 
The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


135 


the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his 
Christ;  and  he  shall  reign  forever  and 
ever” 


THE  END. 


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